Paris deputy mayor defends climate policies amid heatwave, comments on US role in global emissions
Paris Deputy Mayor Audrey Pulvar has defended the city’s climate policies amid a deadly heatwave across Europe, while stating that the United States bears significant responsibility for global emissions driving climate change. The region has recorded over 1,000 excess deaths in France alone amid extreme temperatures exceeding 40°C.
- Paris Deputy Mayor Audrey Pulvar defended the city’s climate policies amid a severe European heatwave and criticism over limited air conditioning use.
- She said the United States, as a major emitter, shares responsibility for global greenhouse gas emissions driving climate change impacts.
- Europe is facing widespread extreme heat, with over 1,000 excess deaths in France and temperatures exceeding 40°C across several countries.
Paris Deputy Mayor Audrey Pulvar has defended the city’s environmental strategy amid criticism linked to a deadly heatwave affecting much of Europe.
Her comments were made in an Instagram post on 26 June 2026, where she responded to United States-based criticism of Paris’ limited use of air conditioning (AC).
Pulvar argued that countries with high greenhouse gas emissions, particularly the United States, bear significant responsibility for global warming and its consequences.
She said Paris has spent decades pursuing climate policies aimed at reducing emissions and adapting urban infrastructure to rising temperatures.
US emissions and climate responsibility
In her Instagram statement, Pulvar directly addressed critics from the United States, writing:
“Dear American journalists and social media ‘influencers’: for days, some of you have been criticising and making fun of Paris because the city does not have A/C in every room. OMG, this is so rich!”
She added that the United States, as one of the world’s largest greenhouse gas emitters, bears significant responsibility for global warming and its impacts.
“As the second-largest emitter of greenhouse gas emissions in the world, you bear a significant amount of responsibility for global warming and the consequences we, in France, are experiencing,” she wrote.
Pulvar also criticised high reliance on air conditioning in some countries, linking it to energy consumption and environmental impact.
She argued that climate action requires shared global responsibility rather than criticism between countries.
She said: “If every American city made the same ecological transition efforts as Paris and many European cities, believe me, the whole world would be better off. So please, enough with the lecture. Just start doing your part.”
Her remarks were not accompanied by specific data or figures.
Europe’s ongoing heatwave and impact across countries
The remarks come as Europe continues to experience a prolonged and severe heatwave, with temperatures surpassing 40°C in parts of France, Spain, Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic, according to national meteorological agencies.
In France, the national public health agency has reported more than 1,000 excess deaths during recent peak heat periods, with a significant proportion involving individuals aged 65 and above.
Many of the fatalities occurred in residential settings, particularly during sustained periods of extreme daytime and nighttime heat.
Elsewhere in Europe, authorities have reported heat-related deaths and widespread disruption.
Germany has recorded wildfires and transport interruptions in several regions, while central European countries have issued repeated heat alerts as temperatures climbed to near-record levels.
Emergency measures have been implemented across multiple countries, including restrictions on public gatherings, school closures, and adjustments to operating hours at major landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre Museum in France.
Meteorological agencies have warned that the prolonged heat pattern continues to strain public health systems and infrastructure across the region.
Air conditioning debate in France
The heatwave has reignited debate in France over air conditioning, which remains significantly less widespread than in countries such as the United States, Japan and southern Europe.
According to media reports, French public attitudes toward air conditioning have historically been shaped by concerns over health effects, energy consumption and what is locally referred to as “thermal shock”, the belief that sudden temperature changes between hot outdoor air and cooled indoor environments can cause illness.
As a result, AC adoption in France remains relatively low compared to other developed countries, with installation also limited in historic buildings and older housing stock.
Critics argue that this leaves populations more vulnerable during extreme heat events, while others caution against increased energy use and environmental impact.
Wider climate context and WHO warning
World Health Organization Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has warned that Europe is the fastest-warming continent, heating at twice the global average.
He said extreme heat is becoming increasingly frequent, with hundreds of deaths reported and infrastructure under strain across multiple countries.
Health authorities have linked rising temperatures to climate change, noting that heatwaves once considered rare are now occurring more regularly across the region.
Emergency response across Europe
French authorities have deployed emergency workers, imposed public safety restrictions and reduced operating hours at major tourist sites to manage heat risks.
Similar measures have been seen across Europe, including festival cancellations in the Netherlands, heat alerts in Spain and Italy, and transport disruptions in multiple countries.
Meteorological agencies warn that high temperatures may persist in some regions, with thunderstorms forecast in parts of central Europe following the peak of the heatwave.
