Heat records in France for 2026

The summer of 2026 brought significant climatic challenges to France, with Météo-France recording 53 days of heat waves, spread across three episodes, compared to 33 in 2022. This marked an increase in extreme temperatures that affected both human health and the natural environment.

Health and environmental impacts

According to Santé publique France, exposure to heat can lead to unusual fatigue and a decrease in alertness. Maintaining a bearable temperature in homes became more difficult, and outdoor workers had to adapt their activities and rest times to cope with the heat. The combination of high temperatures and insufficient rainfall, which was about 40% below the normal observed during the period 1991-2020, intensified soil drying.

Soil dryness and resource tensions

By early August, soil dryness reached an unprecedented level nationwide, according to Météo-France. This lack of water not only made cooling down more difficult but also intensified tensions between the needs of residents, agriculture, and other economic activities, while dry vegetation promoted the development of fires.

Forest mortality and climate stress

The National Forest Inventory, published by the IGN in October 2026, revealed that while the forest continues to expand, the annual mortality of trees, measured in volume of wood, has increased by 2.5 times between the periods 2005-2013 and 2016-2024. These observations do not yet include the effects of the summer of 2026.

Droughts and forest vulnerability

Successive droughts and high temperatures weaken trees, making them more vulnerable to pests and diseases. When water is scarce, their growth can slow down, stop, or even lead to withering. The ability of a forest to resist depends largely on the species present, the soil, and climatic conditions. Therefore, the adaptation of forests requires looking beyond their surface area.

Corporate funding for ecological projects

The MAIF has been allocating 10% of its annual profit to its ecological dividend since 2023, intended for the protection of biodiversity and climate solidarity. Funded by this initiative, the MAIF Fund for Life finances projects to preserve and regenerate ecosystems, in partnership with the Nature 2050 Fund, created by CDC Biodiversity.

Supported ecological projects

According to the report published in September 2026, 40 projects have been supported since the launch of the initiative. They concern, among other things, wetlands, watercourses, hedges, or areas to be restored. In the long term, the whole should allow, among other things, the restoration of 137 hectares of wetlands and nearly 43 kilometers of watercourses.

Forest adaptation in Auvergne

The adaptation of forests finds its place in this approach. It is at the heart of Alti'Chênes, led by the Conservatory of Natural Spaces of Auvergne. Selected among the winners by the board of directors of the MAIF Fund for Life, the project was then named the 2026 favorite by the members, during a vote organized after the announcement of the supported projects.

Project scope and funding

The project concerns 11 communes and 11.5 hectares in the Massif Central, where it is testing the future of deciduous trees at altitude. In a context of decline of conifers, it is about experimenting with the presence of oaks between 900 and 1,200 meters altitude, while reinforcing that of the beech, which already grows there. The MAIF Fund for Life contributes 122,565 euros to it, for a total budget of 251,833 euros.

Species selection and planting strategy

The choice falls on three species of oaks present in the region, the pedunculate oaks, sessile oaks and downy oaks. By relying on local species, the Conservatory of Natural Spaces of Auvergne seeks to preserve the relationships they have with insects, birds, lichens, and other organisms associated with them. The aim is to reconcile climate adaptation with the maintenance of forest biodiversity.

Implementation and monitoring

Approximately 9,000 trees are to be planted and 32,000 acorns sown, with plantings spread over three years. The interventions are adapted to the needs of the species. The oaks will be planted on already cut plots, while beeches can be planted under existing stands to benefit from their shade, notes MAIF in its presentation of the project. The approach remains experimental.

Long-term observation and impact

Droughts, late frosts and other extreme events can compromise the survival of young trees. Announced for October 2026, the start of the project thus opens a period of observation that will continue until 2050. The plantings and climatic hazards will be recorded to track their evolution. The interest of Alti'Chênes will therefore be measured over the years, based on the ability of the trees to establish themselves and the lessons that can be drawn from these experiments.

Supporting future forest resilience

By supporting this project, the MAIF seeks to contribute today to the adaptation of forests, in order to sustainably preserve the services they provide to territories. The knowledge gained could then help other territories to adapt their populations and preserve the functions they fulfill.