Climate change in day-care centres and nursing homes: the Federal Government wants to provide more money for heat protection

The German federal government has announced plans to increase funding for heat protection measures in kindergartens and nursing homes starting in 2027. For two years, no new grants were awarded for climate adaptation in these social facilities. The Ministry of Environment aims to resume financial support through its “AnpaSo” funding program, which allows institutions to develop heat protection plans. According to a spokesperson for the ministry, the reallocation of budget funds from the existing climate transformation fund (KTF) will enable the ministry to process new applications beginning in 2027. The proposed increase in funding for the KTF is set to rise from 50 million euros in 2026 to 126 million euros in 2027. However, the exact amount of the increased funding for the “AnpaSo” program remains unclear, as internal discussions are ongoing. While the ministry had previously approved some applications, it did not issue new calls for proposals in 2025 or 2026. The final decision on the allocation of funds rests with the Bundestag, which is expected to debate the budget in the fall. The increase in funding is part of broader efforts to adapt infrastructure and services to rising temperatures, though the specifics of how this will translate into tangible improvements remain under discussion. Social care facilities are largely unprepared for extreme heat. A survey conducted by the Paritätischen Gesamtverband found that 80 percent of 2,871 surveyed institutions require air conditioning systems, yet only 20 percent already have them installed. Less than one-third of the facilities have developed heat protection plans. Staff members in three-quarters of the institutions reported that residents experience difficulties due to high temperatures, including circulation problems, concentration issues, and sleep disturbances. Additionally, 87 percent of institutions noted that staff themselves suffer from the effects of heat, experiencing exhaustion, physical strain, and reduced focus. One in four reported that errors occur more frequently due to the heat. The situation has intensified following the deadly summer of 2023, during which the Robert-Koch-Institute recorded between 8,700 and 10,900 deaths attributed to excessive heat. This has led to growing criticism of the lack of climate adaptation measures. Green Party member Julia Schneider emphasized the importance of political pressure from opposition parties, stating that she welcomes additional funding for social institutions. However, she criticized the shift of funding from the core budget to the KTF, arguing that the coalition is using the climate fund for purposes unrelated to reducing carbon emissions. She warned against pitting climate protection against climate adaptation. Katja Kipping, head of the Paritätischen Gesamtverband, described the conditions in some facilities as alarming, citing indoor temperatures ranging from 30 to 40 degrees Celsius. She stressed that the increasing burden caused by extreme heat cannot be managed locally alone and requires reliable political support and collective solutions. As a result, the organization is calling for a nationwide emergency heat relief fund to finance both structural and technical protective measures, as well as additional staffing. The investment requirements are substantial, with even the German Hospital Association highlighting the scale of needed upgrades.