A new study published in The Lancet Public Health on September 9 examines how 850 European cities are responding to the growing threat of climate change. The research highlights both progress and gaps in urban adaptation efforts. In Spain, cities like Pamplona are being recognized for their sustainable transport systems, while Cuenca is noted for its extensive wooded areas. However, the report warns that despite some efforts, cities across Europe are still struggling to keep pace with the rising frequency and intensity of heatwaves, which have led to record temperatures and a sharp increase in heat-related deaths in recent years. The study is part of the Lancet Countdown, a series of reports tracking the health impacts of climate change. It found that 88% of the 850 cities have implemented measures to reduce urban heat, such as planting trees and replacing heat-absorbing surfaces with cooler alternatives. José Chen, a researcher at ISGlobal in Barcelona and lead author of the study, described the level of adaptation as “surprising” but emphasized that these efforts are not yet sufficient to combat the escalating climate crisis. Europe is warming twice as fast as the global average, and heat-related deaths have risen by 161% over the past decade compared to the 1991–2000 reference period. In the Spanish city of Castellón de la Plana, the increase in heat-related mortality is particularly severe, rising from 25.7 to 168.1 deaths per million people between 2015 and 2024. The impacts of extreme heat extend beyond health, affecting the economy as well. In Spain, cities like Seville and Córdoba have seen the largest drops in the number of working hours per employee due to extreme temperatures. Southern European cities, in particular, lag behind their northern counterparts in infrastructure such as public transport, pedestrian zones, and shaded areas. By 2020, only 12% of southern cities met the United Nations' goal of covering 30% of their area with trees, and the proportion of tree cover in these regions has actually decreased slightly in recent years, while it has increased in other parts of Europe. Cuenca, in Spain, stands out with over 50% of its territory covered in trees, while Cádiz, with no tree cover, is at the bottom of the rankings. Despite these challenges, some cities have made notable progress. In Madrid, the municipality of Torrejón de Ardoz increased its forested area by 257% since 2000. Barcelona and other cities have also introduced innovative solutions, such as “super blocks,” which limit through traffic and promote greener urban spaces. These efforts aim to combat the urban heat island effect, where concrete and asphalt retain heat, raising local temperatures. Meanwhile, improvements in reducing air pollution have led to a 40% drop in premature deaths linked to fine particles (PM2.5) since 2002, with the transport sector contributing significantly to this decline through electrification and stricter engine regulations. However, southern European cities still face challenges in infrastructure for pedestrians, cyclists, and public transport, with some cities like Alcalá de Guadaira having less than 1% of their roads designated for bike lanes. In contrast, Pamplona and Vitoria-Gasteiz in Spain are leading in sustainable mobility and air quality improvements, showing that effective policies can make a real difference.