The Spanish Government has presented the Climate Refuge Network at an event held at the headquarters of the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (MITECO).
This initiative, which is part of the State Pact against Climate Emergency, will have more than 180 publicly accessible spaces throughout the country, which will be operational from May 15 to September 30 each year.
The Vice President and Minister for Ecological Transition, Sara Aagesen, emphasized the urgency of facing this challenge, stating that “we are facing the greatest challenge of our era: the climate emergency”. Aagesen highlighted that science has shown that extreme weather phenomena are becoming increasingly frequent and intense, which justifies the need to implement this network of shelters.
During the presentation, Aagesen also announced the availability of a Guide for the Climate Refuge Network, aimed at administrations, companies, and organizations interested in establishing a shelter. This guide includes information on the minimum requirements that shelters must meet, as well as guidelines to improve their characteristics. Additionally, spaces that meet the criteria can be incorporated into the Map of climate refuges in Spain, which already includes 1,100 identified facilities across the country.
The document proposes technical criteria for selecting indoor spaces (such as libraries, civic centers, or stations) and outdoor spaces (such as parks and gardens), ensuring that they have adequate conditions for thermal comfort, accessibility, drinking water, and rest areas. It also addresses key aspects such as governance, communication with citizens, activation of the network according to risk levels, and maintenance of the spaces. It includes inspiring examples of networks already implemented in cities like Barcelona, Bilbao, or Paris, and useful resources to facilitate self-assessment and planning by municipalities. Together, this guide represents a comprehensive strategy to strengthen urban resilience against climate change at the local level.
