Last year, 41% of southern Europe was under strong, very strong, or extreme heat stress, which poses health risks to outdoor workers, the elderly, and people with pre-existing conditions.

In July 2020, Italy recorded 7% more deaths than normal, with some victims being outdoor workers who succumbed to the extreme heat.

In 2023, parts of Spain, France, Italy, and Greece experienced ten days of extreme heat stress, defined as temperatures feeling over 46 degrees Celsius, which can lead to heat stroke and other health issues.

Europe has seen a 30% increase in heat-related deaths over the past 20 years.

The EU's environment agency urged governments to prepare healthcare systems for climate change and enact rules to protect outdoor workers from extreme heat.

Last year was the warmest on record globally, and Europe is the fastest-warming continent.

Last year's exceptional heat was primarily caused by greenhouse gas emissions, according to a report.

Other factors like El Nino also contributed.

The heat led to extreme weather events such as flooding and wildfires.

Notable incidents included floods affecting 1.5 million people in Slovenia and Greece experiencing the EU's largest wildfire on record.

Alpine glaciers lost 10% of their remaining volume.

The intensity, speed, extent, and duration of these events took the scientific community by surprise, said Carlo Buontempo of the Copernicus Climate Change Service.