Recently, Sameh Wahba, the World Bank Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia, warned that rising temperatures in cities across Europe and Central Asia could triple heat-related deaths and reduce the region’s annual GDP by 2.5% by 2050, according to a joint report by the World Bank and the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery.

In the report titled "Unlivable: How Cities in Europe and Central Asia Can Survive—and Thrive—in a Hotter Future," it was noted that by mid-century, the number of hot days in the region’s largest cities—where over 70% of the population resides—could more than triple. Southern Europe and Türkiye were identified as particularly vulnerable, with projections suggesting heat episodes may last between 40 and 70 days longer each year. The report outlined the cascading impacts of extreme heat, including transport disruptions, power system overloads, intensified droughts and wildfires, deteriorating air quality, and decreased labor productivity, especially in sectors like construction, transport, and tourism.

Wahba emphasized that heat waves make cities increasingly uninhabitable, particularly for the elderly, children, and low-income communities. To reduce these risks, the World Bank recommended immediate adaptation efforts, such as early warning systems, cooling centers in vulnerable neighborhoods, heat-resistant construction materials, and climate-sensitive urban planning.

According to the report, the highest excess mortality rates—between 25 and 27.5 cases per 100,000 people—were recorded in cities with warmer climates, including Iasi (Romania), Ashgabat (Turkmenistan), Baku (Azerbaijan), and Osijek (Croatia). The International Labour Organization’s 2023 estimates revealed that the region had already lost the equivalent of more than 87,000 jobs due to rising temperatures, with Uzbekistan losing 22,200 positions, Azerbaijan 17,800, and Türkiye 16,100.

The report identified Azerbaijan as the most vulnerable, losing 0.38% of total working hours in 2023. The breakdown of sectoral losses in Azerbaijani cities was 0.76% in construction, 0.36% in industry, and 0.8% in services. Forecasts for 2030 indicated a worsening trend: working hour losses in Azerbaijan’s services sector could reach 1%, exceed 3% in industry, and approach 7% in construction—even with the provision of shade.