Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction
Ecuador has integrated measures to address extreme heat within its broader climate change adaptation and disaster risk management frameworks.
Key national strategies include the National Climate Change Strategy (ENCC), which outlines resilience building across sectors like agriculture, health, and urban planning, and the National Plan for Good Living, which incorporates environmental sustainability and climate resilience. The National Adaptation Plan(NAP) focuses on adapting to climate change impacts, including extreme weather events like heat waves, by enhancing early warning systems and promoting public awareness.
The Ministry of Environment, Water, and Ecological Transition (MAATE) leads climate policy development, while the National Risk and Emergency Management Service (SNGRE) manages disaster risk, including preparedness and response to extreme heat. Local initiatives, especially in cities like Quito and Guayaquil, include municipal climate action plans aimed at mitigating the urban heat island effect through green spaces and improved urban planning. Community-based adaptation programmes, supported by NGOs and international organizations, focus on local resilience through education and infrastructure improvements.
Public private partnerships (PPPs) do play a role in Ecuador, though perhaps not as robust as in other case study nations. For example, in Guayaquil, the local government partners with construction companies and paint manufacturers to promote the installation of cool roofs in residential and commercial buildings. These roofs use reflective materials to reduce indoor temperatures and energy consumption.
In addition, utility companies in Ecuador, in partnership with local governments and international organizations, promote energy efficiency programmes that help residents and businesses reduce their energy consumption during heatwaves. These programmes include incentives for installing energy-efficient cooling systems and improving building insulation. And, the Ministry of Agriculture works with agribusinesses and NGOs to promote sustainable farming practices that can withstand extreme heat. This includes the development and distribution of heat-resistant crop varieties and the implementation of water-efficient irrigation systems.
Key measures include developing early warning systems, conducting public awareness campaigns, and incorporating green infrastructure in urban planning. The healthcare sector is being strengthened to handle heat-related illnesses through training and improved infrastructure. Ecuador collaborates with international organizations like the UNDP and the World Bank for technical assistance and funding and conducts research to better understand and mitigate the impacts of extreme heat.
These integrated efforts aim to build resilience against the impacts of extreme heat in Ecuador.