Rising temperatures pose challenges for Brazilian cities. As climate change accelerates, urban heat islands and heat waves are intensifying, putting pressure on cities to take action.

Extreme heat is already a public health problem in Brazil, which has the highest heat-related mortality rate in Latin America. It is also a climate justice issue, as the effects are particularly severe in low-income, high-density areas with little green space. Children, the elderly and people with chronic diseases are among the most at risk. Local leaders and public health agencies are under pressure to take urgent action to address this crisis.

Despite this urgency, Brazilian cities face significant challenges in financing heat adaptation initiatives. Most available resources are still directed toward emissions mitigation initiatives, while local adaptation solutions such as green infrastructure and air-conditioned public spaces remain underfunded. Furthermore, many municipalities lack the technical or institutional capacity to structure viable projects that attract investment.

Faced with this scenario, WRI Brasil created the Urban Heat Solutions Accelerator. The initiative aims to support projects that propose green or low-carbon solutions to address the effects of extreme heat in cities, focusing on reducing exposure for vulnerable populations and promoting other benefits such as improved thermal comfort, better air quality and enhanced value of living spaces.

Inspired by the methodology of the Nature-Based Solutions for Cities Accelerator, the Urban Heat Solutions Accelerator is part of the Data for Cool Cities initiative. Led by WRI with support from Google.org, the initiative aims to support decision-makers in cities in using data to address extreme heat.

Support for up to 20 projects to Combat Extreme Heat

From September 2025 to February 2026, the Accelerator will support 20 cities in developing urban heat adaptation projects with technical and institutional support to improve their design and increase their fundraising potential. This assistance will be offered at two levels of engagement. 

Five cities with projects in the ideation or early design stages will receive in-depth support, including specialized training, individualized mentoring, in-person missions, access to strategic information and support for improving technical and financial structuring. Fifteen other cities, with projects at a more advanced stage, will receive support focused on preparing their teams to present their projects to potential funders.

The Accelerator's activities will culminate in a national matchmaking event in March 2026, connecting the 20 participating cities with financial institutions and investment partners. Support will be provided to refine project pitches to funders. 

Tools to scale urban heat solutions

As part of the Accelerator, WRI Brasil will also develop tools that can be used by other cities, including a data platform to support urban adaptation planning for extreme heat, methodologies for analyzing project impacts, business models for urban cooling solutions and an integrated approach to building investment strategies.

These tools offer clear pathways for transforming ideas into bankable projects aligned with local priorities, supporting municipalities in overcoming technical and financial barriers. By creating replicable benchmarks, the Urban Heat Solutions Accelerator aims to build capacity to respond to rising extreme heat, not only in participating cities but also in other municipalities facing the same challenge.