The "People and Health" Heat Action Plan is a component of the citywide strategy for adapting to the effects of climate change, which the City Council adopted in February 2025. Other components include measures in the areas of “Urban Green Spaces,” “Built Environment,” “Water Bodies and Floodplains,” and “Land and Nature” (see attached chart). While the climate adaptation strategy sets out the long-term direction for the state capital of Mainz in addressing the diverse impacts of climate change, the Heat Action Plan focuses on short-term measures to protect public health. 

The Heat Action Plan is based on the technical recommendations of the state of Rhineland-Palatinate and implements them at the municipal level. At the same time, it supplements the long-term measures of Mainz’s Climate Adaptation Strategy with concrete procedures, responsibilities, and communication channels for dealing with heat warnings. This is how the various levels interlock: The state provides the technical framework, the Climate Adaptation Strategy defines the long-term direction for the city of Mainz, and the Heat Action Plan ensures practical implementation in day-to-day administrative operations.

At the heart of the Heat Action Plan is a four-stage communication cascade based on heat warnings issued by the German Weather Service. As soon as there is an indication of potential heat stress, the city administration informs and raises awareness among the public with behavioral tips and prepares to activate its networks. If the heat stress reaches Warning Level 1—severe heat stress—relevant information is shared with institutions and key communicators, such as long-term care facilities, social service providers, daycare centers, and counseling centers, so that people at particularly high risk can be reached early on. At Warning Level 2—extreme heat stress—specific assistance options, such as information on drinking water stations, cool places to stay, and support services for vulnerable population groups, are communicated more extensively. Warning Level 3 is triggered during an extreme heat wave and supplements the two existing warning levels. It is activated during prolonged and exceptionally severe heat waves. In such cases, the focus shifts to more extensive protective measures and recommendations for action, such as consistently avoiding direct sunlight or adjusting outdoor events and activities. The goal of the communication cascade is to quickly and effectively convey information to those who need it most urgently and to minimize health risks posed by extreme heat as much as possible. 

“Climate change has long since become part of our everyday lives. Heat is now one of the greatest climate-related health risks. With the Heat Action Plan, we are creating clear structures and ensuring that information and offers of assistance reach people quickly. For us, climate adaptation means above all protecting the health of Mainz residents and making our city more resilient to the consequences of climate change,” says Janina Steinkrüger, Head of the Environment Department.

A Dedicated Heat Action Plan for Municipal Daycare Centers 

Children are particularly sensitive to high temperatures. That is why a separate heat action plan for municipal daycare centers (opens in a new tab) was developed in parallel. It supports daycare center directors with a binding, practical guide for dealing with heat while also allowing sufficient flexibility to adapt to local conditions.

Among other things, the guidelines include a temperature traffic-light system with clearly defined action levels, regular temperature measurements and documentation, daily checklists, and specific measures for group rooms, sleeping areas, kitchens, and outdoor areas. Depending on the temperature, these measures range from providing additional drinks and ways to cool off, to adjusting the daily schedule and meals, to using cooler rooms or allowing parents to pick up their children earlier on a voluntary basis.

Municipal daycare centers have the option to independently decide on their on-site needs for sun and heat protection and to make the necessary purchases. For example, they can purchase fans and portable air conditioners for indoor use, or sprinklers and water toys for outdoor areas.

Jana Schmöller, Commissioner for Children’s Affairs, explains: “Children are among the population groups most sensitive to heat. With the Heat Action Plan, we are providing our daycare centers with a clear and practical framework for action so that children and staff are protected as well as possible even on very hot days. At the same time, we are creating greater certainty for the facilities and more transparency for parents.”

The City of Mainz also receives support from the Rhineland-Palatinate Accident Insurance Fund. Markus Schwan, Head of the Supervisory Services Division for Educational Institutions, says: "I support the City of Mainz’s Heat Action Plan for daycare centers because, from the perspective of the Rhineland-Palatinate Accident Insurance Fund, it helps protect children and staff as effectively as possible. Especially on hot days, it’s important to be prepared early on to ensure the health and well-being of everyone at the daycare centers. The plan provides clear, practical guidance so that staff can respond quickly and appropriately in the day-to-day operations of daycare centers—and, above all, so that the children can enjoy a carefree and safe summer.”

Jana Schmöller, Head of Social Affairs, also appeals to the residents of Mainz: “Heat protection is a shared responsibility. On hot days, please look out not only for yourselves but also for those around you. Ask older neighbors, people living alone, or those with health conditions if they need assistance or are drinking enough. Often, a quick visit or phone call is all it takes to prevent health risks.”

Heat Tips for Everyday Life

The City of Mainz recommends that all residents prepare for hot days well in advance. It is especially important to

• to drink regularly—ideally before you feel thirsty—
• preferably water, mineral water, or unsweetened fruit and herbal teas,
• to schedule physical activity for the morning or evening hours whenever possible,
• avoid direct sunlight, especially around noon,
• to wear light clothing and a hat,
• to ventilate living spaces in the morning and at night and to keep them shaded throughout the day,
• and to pay special attention to older adults, children, and people in need of care.

Free Ways to Cool Off in Mainz

Families in particular will find plenty of opportunities to cool off in Mainz. The free water play areas in Volkspark, on Goetheplatz, at Fort Elisabeth, and in Hartenbergpark offer a welcome refreshment on hot days. The current operating status of the individual facilities can be checked at any time on the city’s website.

Anyone who wants to refill their water bottle while out and about can also take advantage of the “Wasser to go” initiative. At the initiative of Mainz-based physician Christoph Lembens, numerous businesses in the Old Town have joined forces to allow residents to refill their own water bottles with tap water for free. The “Refill” campaign, which had already been launched as part of the 100% Climate Protection Master Plan, was reactivated with the climate change adaptation strategy adopted in 2025 and further expanded in collaboration with Lembens.

Municipal institutions are now also participating in the initiative. This service provides easy access to free drinking water, especially on hot days, and thus makes an important contribution to public health—particularly for vulnerable population groups. 

The information on the City of Mainz’s website has been updated accordingly. Further information on the nationwide Refill campaign is available at https://refill-deutschland.de/ (opens in a new tab).

In addition, the city provides information on public drinking fountains and other ways to stay adequately hydrated while on the go: https://www.mainz.de/angebote-entdecken/gruenes-mainz/freizeitaktivitaeten/spielplaetze-und-wasserspielplaetze (opens in a new tab)

In preparation for future heat waves that are expected to occur more frequently and last longer, the city administration is also exploring additional heat protection measures. This includes setting up air-conditioned shelters for particularly severe heat waves. The state capital of Mainz is already providing ongoing information about cool places to stay within the city limits. A regularly updated overview can be found under the heading “Where can I find cooler places?” (opens in a new tab) on the city’s website.

The Heat Action Plan is designed to be a dynamic tool. The measures are regularly evaluated and refined to continuously improve protection for Mainz residents in the face of increasing heat events. The state capital of Mainz provides further information, behavioral tips, and details on cool places and heat protection services here: https://www.mainz.de/microsite/klimaneutral/anpassungen-an-den-klimawandel/hitze-mainz (opens in a new tab)