Group on Earth Observations, Alibaba Cloud and Haina Join Forces to Protect Cities from Extreme Heat

New partnership will pilot the Global Heat Resilience Service in China’s Yangtze River Delta region, turning environmental data into life-saving city .

Shanghai, China, October 22, 2025 - The Group on Earth Observations (GEO), Alibaba Cloud and Shanghai Haina Academy of Engineering (Haina) will partner on the development and implementation of the GEO-convened Global Heat Resilience Service, an innovative initiative designed to help cities manage the growing threat of extreme heat.

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Responding to United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres’s Call to Action on Extreme Heat, the Global Heat Resilience Service was established to empower cities to mitigate localised heat risks through timely, data-driven insights.

The first phase of the collaboration will focus on pilot implementation of the Global Heat Resilience Service in selected cities, beginning with Hangzhou and Shanghai.

Using a scenario-based approach, the three parties will integrate data on risk, exposure and vulnerability - including Earth observation data and Alibaba Cloud's urban management capabilities - to assess and manage heat risks.

GEO will specify and coordinate access to diverse datasets spanning environmental, climate, demographic, and socio-economic dimensions for comprehensive risk assessment; Alibaba Cloud will contribute expertise in AI, cloud computing and large-scale analytics; and Haina will co-design a prototype, drawing on its experience in urban digitalisation.

The collaboration will also include knowledge exchange and capacity building activities to strengthen local heat risk management, with the aim of developing scalable solutions for cities worldwide.

“Extreme heat is the silent killer of our time – its impacts are intensifying, yet too often overlooked. Through the Global Heat Resilience Service, GEO is pioneering Earth Intelligence: bringing together Earth observation, local insights, and socio-economic data to reveal who is most exposed and vulnerable. But our aim goes beyond insights; we are working to influence policy and planning so that every city can craft and implement heat resilience strategies and action plans, translating knowledge into real protection for people. In partnership with Alibaba Cloud and Haina, we are piloting this service as a blueprint for cities worldwide, especially those with the least capacity, to strengthen their defences against deadly heat. This is global collaboration at its best, turning data into action to save lives,” said Yana Gevorgyan, Director of Secretariat at Group on Earth Observations.

“At Alibaba Cloud, we believe technology should serve society, especially in the face of urgent challenges like climate change and urban resilience. By harnessing Alibaba’s leading AI and cloud technologies, we can transform environmental data into real-time, actionable urban intelligence. Alibaba Cloud's collaboration with GEO and Haina marks a significant step toward building resilient and sustainable cities for the future,” said Jian Wang, Founder of Alibaba Cloud.

“As urbanisation progresses, so does the heat risk in our cities. Haina is proud to co-develop the Global Heat Resilience Service prototype with GEO and Alibaba Cloud, bringing cutting-edge digital urban solutions to the frontlines of climate adaptation. The pilot project will not only protect local communities but also create a replicable model for cities worldwide striving to become more resilient and livable,” said Guirong Xue,Chief Scientist of Haina.

By 2050, more than 5 billion people worldwide are expected to face health-threatening extreme heat, with urban populations especially vulnerable due to the urban heat island effect.

From 2025-2027, the Global Heat Resilience Service will be rolled out to pilot cities around the world, reaching an estimated 12-20 million people.

Insights, tools and community campaigns developed through pilots in China’s Yangtze River Delta region are expected to inform the expansion of the service to other cities worldwide, particularly those in developing regions with limited access to heat resilience infrastructure.

About The Group on Earth Observations

The Group on Earth Observations (GEO) is a global collaboration of 117 governments and 177 international, private sector and civil society organisations dedicated to understanding our Earth in all its complexity. As a collaborative intergovernmental body, GEO is dedicated to co-producing user-driven Earth Intelligence solutions. By collecting and sharing vital information, ranging from satellite images of forests to oceanic temperature readings and beyond, GEO provides a comprehensive view of our planet’s well-being, allowing us to monitor and safeguard its health.

About Shanghai Haina Academy of Engineering

Shanghai Haina Academy of Engineering leads cities digitalization through technological innovation and promotes collaborative innovation among cities in the Yangtze River Delta region via a private, non-profit mechanism, aiming to create a global pioneer of cities digitalization innovation. Haina Academy of Engineering focuses on theoretical research of cities digitalization, technological breakthroughs, talent cultivation, scientific research cooperation and exchange, and the transformation of research achievements. It also builds an intelligent public open platform for cities;

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Group on Earth Observations, Alibaba Cloud and Haina Join Forces to Protect Cities from Extreme Heat

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About Shanghai Haina Academy of Engineering

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