Do you have a retail business? You can now join the register of climate shelters for this summer
There are now more than 350 climate shelters across the city, which include many of the city's shops. This number was reached last year with the expansion of the network of climate shelters, spaces designed to protect people from extreme temperatures during the summer and winter months. The new aim is to increase the availability of climate shelters for everyone. We’ll explain how this is being done and how you can join in the initiative.
One of the solutions involves expanding the network of climate shelters with the support of small neighbourhood facilities, such as local entities, shops and pharmacies that have suitable thermal comfort levels. This is a community project run in partnership with the Radars project, which works to combat unwanted loneliness in older people with the collaboration of pharmacies, shops, local entities and a team of volunteers.
The aim is twofold: On the one hand, to progressively increase the number of spaces available which can be used as climate shelters (more than 50 m²) or as micro shelters (less than 50 m²). On the other hand, to get shops and entities to disseminate information about the climate shelters found in the local area and to raise public awareness of the importance of taking measures when faced with extreme temperatures. To facilitate this awareness-raising and community collaboration work, the network coordinator team provides support materials, such as leaflets and posters.
How to join the initiative
In order to continue expanding the network of climate shelters and micro shelters in Barcelona, you can offer your small business or shop as a space to support the network. To sign up, you just need to have a space with a climate control system that maintains the temperature at 26 ºC during the hottest months and 21 ºC during cold periods. The space needs to have one or a number of seats and, optionally, you can offer water. If you meet these conditions and you are interested in becoming a climate shelter, simply fill in this form or send an email to refugisclimatics@bcn.cat
Expanding the network of climate shelters is one of the ways we are mitigating the impact of the climate emergency, particularly for the most vulnerable people in society such as older people, young babies, people with chronic illnesses and people on low incomes. With more than 350 shelters in operation during summer 2024, the current challenge is to consolidate and expand this network to ensure that no one is left without protection from extreme temperatures.