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News
France's brutal summer of 2026 — 52 days of intense heat — pushed hospitals to their limits, with over 7,300 excess deaths and more than half of emergency departments seeing a surge in activity. Hospital leaders are now demanding a dedicated €1 billion annual "green fund" to retrofit facilities built for a cooler era, plus a 3.9% funding increase in next year's health budget.
France's summer of 2026 was a wake-up call for its health system. With 52 days of intense heat and record wildfires, hospitals were pushed to the brink — 67% relied on overtime, emergency staff cut short vacations to return to work, and ward temperatures hit a median of 32.6°C. Hospital leaders warn that staff dedication alone can't sustain the system through future climate crises.
The French Hospital Federation (FHF) is now calling for structural reform. At the top of their list: a dedicated €1 billion per year "green fund" starting in 2027 to fund thermal insulation, solar shading, and low-carbon cooling in hospitals and nursing homes. They're also requesting a 3.9% increase in public hospital funding — an extra €4.3 billion — to address chronic deficits of €3 billion in 2024 and €2.3 billion in 2025.
By the Numbers:
Why it matters: Climate change is no longer a future threat for health systems — it's a present operational crisis. France's experience is a preview of what hospitals worldwide may face, and the call for sustained, climate-focused health infrastructure investment is a lesson that extends well beyond French borders.
