Heatwaves are no longer an exceptional phenomenon. In Spain, they are becoming more frequent, intense, and prolonged, directly affecting health, households, businesses, and the economy. According to El País (08/07/2025), the number of days under extreme conditions has risen from 129 (1975–1999) to nearly 300 in the past two decades.
This August has already broken records: 165 weather stations registered temperatures above 40 °C, and 62 of them reached 42 °C (El País, 08/14/2025).
Impact on health and daily life
The Ministry of Health warns that heat waves can cause heatstroke, dehydration, cardiovascular issues, and respiratory problems, especially among older adults, children, pregnant women, and patients with chronic conditions (sanidad.gob.es).
Between May and July 2025, 1.180 heat-related deaths were recorded, and between June and August alone, the number rose to 1.472, double that of the previous year (El País, 08/10/2025).
Effects on businesses and economic activity
Extreme heat reduces productivity, affects machinery, and increases the risk of fires. Royal Decree-Law 4/2023 requires adapting work schedules and protecting employees during extreme heat days (boe.es).
In the industrial sector, high temperatures can cause unplanned shutdowns and breakdowns in electrical equipment, leading to significant costs for companies.
Adaptation: from urgency to planning
The WHO and AEMET agree: adaptation to extreme heat must be immediate. It’s not enough to react, you need to anticipate. Cities like Barcelona have activated plans such as the Pla Calor, with climate shelters, alerts for vulnerable people, and the distribution of water and caps (El País, 08/14/2025).
Prevention is protection…
At Coyfer, we believe our role goes beyond providing insurance, we also inform about current risks, because prevention is protection.
We share key data at both the national and international level on the rising frequency, intensity, and duration of heat waves.
We provide figures that help illustrate the magnitude of the problem and support informed decision-making.
We offer scientific context on how these climate trends affect people, households, and businesses.
Climate change is no longer a future challenge: it’s here, and it demands immediate action. Prevention and adaptation are the best tools to protect what matters most.
At Coyfer, we stand by your side before, during, and after any climate-related event, because protecting means more than insuring.
APPENDIX – Sources consulted:
- “Changes in heat waves characteristics over Extremadura (SW Spain)” – F. J. Acero et al., arXiv (febrero 2024) https://arxiv.org/abs/2402.00514 arXiv+2ScienceDirect+2
- “Heatwaves in Spain caused 1,180 deaths in past two months, ministry says” – Reuters (julio 2025) https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/climate-energy/heatwaves-spain-caused-1180-deaths-past-two-months-ministry-says-2025-07-14/ The Guardian+3reuters.com+3Le Monde.fr+3
- “Climate change is fueling early‑season heat scorching Spain” – Climate Central (junio 2025) https://www.climatecentral.org/climate-shift-index-alert/spain-june-2025 climatecentral.org