(MENAFN) According to the Frontiers 2025 report released Thursday by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), older adults are facing growing health dangers from intensifying heat waves, a consequence of accelerating climate change.

The report sheds light on how escalating global temperatures, glacier loss, and frequent flooding are putting increasing pressure on both human populations and natural systems.

“Heat waves are among the most frequent and deadly impacts of climate change, along with floods and shrinking ice cover,” stated UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen.

She emphasized the urgent need for readiness, especially to safeguard “society’s most vulnerable, including older persons."

The findings reveal that deaths caused by heat among individuals aged over 65 have surged by 85% since the 1990s.

This trend is most evident in low- and middle-income nations, where aging demographics often live in urban environments.

These populations are not only exposed to rising air pollution and coastal inundation but also suffer from chronic conditions and restricted physical movement, which heighten their risk levels.

In response, UNEP recommends making cities greener and more inclusive, strengthening emergency preparedness, and enhancing access to climate-related data.

The report also referenced the Human Rights Council's recent initiative to formulate a binding international agreement on the rights of older persons.

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