Heat stress increase under climate change and adaptation potential in Belgium

Increase in heat stress is one of the key challenges associated with climate change. As temperatures in Belgium recently exceeded 40 degrees Celsius, insight in how these extremes will evolve is becoming even more essential. Moreover, the need for adaptation measures like greenery and adapted building materials is evident. To study the heat stress increase and the adaptation potential, this PhD will adopt kilometer-scale regional climate modelling that enables to distinguish between urban, peri-urban and rural areas. A novel statistical-dynamical downscaling method, tailored to better represent heat stress events, will be developed and applied. The results will support stakeholders in assessing the impact of adaptation and city planning measures on local heat stress during extreme heat waves. This PhD is part of the project entitled “COmbining Regional Downscaling EXpertise in Belgium II” (CORDEX.be II) in partnership with the Royal Meteorological Institute of Belgium, ULiège and the Flemish Institute for Technological Research. This project contributes to the Belgian national adaptation plan which includes the production of Belgian climate scenarios as one of its key actions.