Zahra Shaik, a researcher at the Indian Institute of Public Health – Gandhinagar (IIPH), discusses the impacts of climatic heat waves on women situated in Ahmedabad, India. The impacts from heat waves mostly affect vulnerable women in the poverty-stricken urban areas of Ahmedabad. The heatwaves are found to contribute to the increase in mortality and resultantly spur the need for climate adaptation measures and mitigation within local government (Ahmedabad’s Municipal Council) and a coalition of partners within the IIPH(G) and the Natural Resource Defence Council (NRDC). A Heat Action Plan was implemented, including Shaik’s Health Impact Assessment. Both documents establish frameworks upon which the implications of health, the vulnerability of urban Indian communities and the establishment of climate change adaptation and mitigation measures can be encouraged within Ahmedabad. Photo credit: Zahra Shaik