Adapting to heat-health vulnerability in temperate climates: current adaptation and mitigation responses and future predictions in Aotearoa New Zealand

Abstract

Introduction: Climate change is raising global temperatures, leading to more extreme heat events, even in temperate climates like Aotearoa|New Zealand (A|NZ). The impact of rising temperatures and the adequacy of planning measures remain underexplored. This paper highlights A|NZ's anticipated heat-health challenges by analyzing vulnerable populations and assessing current response systems, thereby reinforcing the need for system-level redress, mitigation and adaptation.

Content: A scoping review examined the impact of heat and existing mitigation and adaptation responses for vulnerable populations in temperate regions, with a focus on A|NZ. Additionally, temperature trend analysis was conducted for current and projected trends using Climate CHIP for six major heat-affected cities in A|NZ to assess the recognition of heat as a societal concern.

Summary and outlook: The review identified mitigation and adaptation strategies for existing vulnerable groups and discovered other potential vulnerable groups in A|NZ, including Indigenous people (Māori), Pacific communities, low-income groups, migrants, and visitors. Temperature trends show an increasing pattern, suggesting heightened future heat-related impacts on these populations. This review reveals A|NZ's growing vulnerability to rising temperatures, particularly among high-risk groups, and calls for stronger mitigation and adaptation strategies to address future heat-health risks.

Keywords: New Zealand; adaptation and mitigation; extreme heat events; global warming; heat health risk; vulnerable populations.