This summer, at least half of France’s emergency services recorded temperatures of 32 degrees Celsius or higher, prompting the French Hospital Federation (FHF) to call for a “green fund” of one billion euros annually to help public hospitals and medical-social institutions adapt to extreme heat. The most intense part of the summer heat has passed, but challenges remain, according to Arnaud Robinet, president of the FHF. During a press conference on September 8, the mayor of Reims also supported the idea of establishing this fund, which would begin in 2027. According to FHF data, nearly half of the facilities believe their buildings are not equipped to handle extreme temperatures. Dr. Yann Penverne, president of the union of emergency physicians Samu Urgences de France, noted that half of the emergency services surveyed reported temperatures of 32 degrees Celsius or more in their premises. He emphasized that extreme heat increases patient mortality and makes it more difficult for medical staff to work effectively. In mid-June, when France was hit by its second heatwave of the season, Health Minister Stéphanie Rist allocated 100 million euros to help hospitals buy cooling equipment. Many hospital staff had already been pooling resources to purchase fans and portable air conditioners under the “D system,” a practice where facilities share resources to address common needs. However, Arnaud Robinet criticized this approach, comparing it to “putting a bandage on a wooden leg.” He urged the government to provide more funding to support the energy transition of public hospitals. The proposed green fund would allow hospitals to carry out essential adaptations like thermal insulation, solar protection, ventilation, and cooling systems. It would also help improve the energy performance of buildings that are already planned for renovation or new construction. Robinet also hopes the fund will enable hospitals to adopt “decarbonized cooling solutions,” which reduce reliance on fossil fuels. Despite the urgent need for energy transition, public hospitals still face significant financial challenges. According to the FHF, the cumulative deficit for public hospitals was approximately 2.3 billion euros in 2025, a slight improvement from 2.9 billion euros in 2024. While the government has called for spending to be controlled, particularly in health and social security, the FHF is requesting a 3.9% increase in the national health insurance expenditure target (Ondam) for hospitals. This target, set annually by parliament, helps guide public authorities in managing social security spending. In 2026, the hospital Ondam was increased by 3.3%, reaching 274 million euros. However, the FHF argues that this increase is still insufficient to address the growing needs of hospitals, especially in light of the ongoing climate challenges.