The Protocolo de Enfrentamento ao Calor Extremo in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil is a municipal strategy launched in 2024 to protect public health during intense heat events. It establishes an evidence-based five-level heat alert system (from NC1 to NC5) that combines meteorological data (temperature and humidity) with health surveillance to anticipate and respond to heat risks in real time.

Under the protocol, city agencies coordinate preventive and adaptive actions tailored to each heat level, from early warnings and public health communications to opening cooling centers, adapting outdoor activities, reinforcing clinical care, and advising on canceling or postponing large outdoor events.

The initiative is coordinated by the Centro de Operações e Resiliência with support from the Municipal Health and Environment Secretariats, and has been recognized internationally for its innovative integration of climate science and health data to reduce heat-related harm among vulnerable populations.