An Assessment of Heat Action Plans: Global Standards, Good Practices and Partnerships

This synthesis report identifies best practices and persistent challenges to provide a structured framework for improving heat resilience based on evaluations of heat action plans from six countries: Australia, Canada, France, India, the United Kingdom, and the United States. It advocates for an adaptable governance framework, proposing that national guidance related to Heat Action Plans incorporate adaptable core elements, such as standardized heat risk definitions, clear agency roles, multi-sector coordination, and early warning systems.

This publication was developed by the Heat Policy Innovation Hub at Duke University and commissioned by the Global Heat Health Information Network (GHHIN), United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), as a contribution to the United Nations Secretary-General’s Call to Action on Extreme Heat (2024). Created through the joint initiative Supporting Extreme Heat Risk Governance, this resource is part of a larger effort designed to help improve international and multisectoral coordination on heat risk reduction, helping countries and communities better prepare for rising temperatures.