"Beat the Heat," an initiative tackling extreme heat and environmental hazards in workplaces and major events, is making strides in turning recommendations into concrete solutions. Running from January 2025 to June 2026 it is the first phase of collaboration between WHO and FIFA under the World Cup 2022 Legacy Fund. The project aims to protect workers, attendees, and local communities from extreme heat and other environmental hazards, such as solar UV exposure, and outdoor air pollution and to provide adequate drinking water and sanitation. By focusing on workplaces, mega sports events, and mass gatherings, it will increase awareness and action to strengthen preparedness and response measures to safeguard health in high-risk settings.
The WHO supports strengthening health and well-being through sports initiatives as support by the World Health Assembly resolution 77.12. Sport for Health Programme.
"The Sport for Health Programme is a platform for integrating health into the world of sport, helping to ensure that major events and everyday sporting activities alike promote and protect health of all involved persons," said Dr Gaudenz Silberschmidt, Director, Health and Multilateral Partnerships. "In the face of rising global temperatures, the Beat the Heat project is both timely and critically important—it provides practical solutions to safeguard workers, staff and spectators from extreme heat, while reinforcing the importance of climate-resilient and healthy sport environments."
With extreme heat now recognized as a critical public health issue, the initiative will mobilize global support with a focus on developing action plans to ensure workplaces and public spaces are equipped with heat response strategies.
Heatwaves alone are projected to cause 1.6 million deaths by 2050, underscoring the urgent need for robust, evidence-based measures to protect high-risk groups. WHO data show that 99% of the global population breathe air that exceeds WHO guideline limits and contains pollutants responsible for 4.2 million premature deaths annually. Occupational hazards kill at least 3 million people each year and cause economic losses of up to 6% of global GDP.
"The Beat the Heat initiative is about turning global guidance into real-world action," said Dr Maria Neira, Director, Department of Environment, Climate Change and Health. "By supporting the rollout of protective guidance and tools, we're helping to build safer, more resilient workplaces and safeguard the health of workers facing rising heat-related risks around the world."
According to the ILO, globally, 2.4 billion workers—or 70% of the global workforce—are exposed to excessive heat, resulting in more than 22 million non-fatal injuries annually. In 2022, an estimated 1.6 billion people worked outdoors. People working in and attending outdoor sports and mass gathering events are also at high risk of exposure to extreme heat, air pollution, and solar UV.
"Protecting people during public health emergencies and mass gatherings must remain a top priority," said Nedret Emiroglu, Director, Department of Health Emergency Core Capabilities, Emergency Preparedness and Response Programme, WHO. "Climate change is driving more frequent and intense heatwaves, worsening air quality and UV exposure, all of which heighten health risks. Through the Beat the Heat initiative, WHO supports countries and event organizers with tools, early warning systems, and protocols. From local festivals to international tournaments, preparedness and response measures are critical to reduce adverse health impacts and build resilience."
Given the significant impact of extreme heat on sports and mass gatherings, WHO is engaging with select countries to implement targeted collaboration. Work has already begun with the United Republic of Tanzania and other countries will join shortly. With their experience in hosting major events and their strong commitment to occupational and environmental health, these countries are well positioned to pilot and scale effective interventions to reduce heat-related risks.
As the world continues to experience record-breaking temperatures, the initiative remains a cornerstone of WHO's commitment to climate-related health response—ensuring long-term protection for those most at risk.
