Climate change impacts, risks and adaptation

Europe is not prepared for rapidly growing climate risks

Europe is the fastest warming continent in the world, and climate risks are threatening its energy and food security, ecosystems, infrastructure, water resources, financial stability, and people’s health.

Extreme heat, drought, wildfires, and flooding, as experienced in recent years, will worsen in Europe even under optimistic global warming scenarios and affect living conditions throughout the continent. The EEA has published the first ever European Climate Risk Assessment (EUCRA) to help identify policy priorities for climate change adaptation and for climate-sensitive sectors.

According to our assessment, many of these risks have already reached critical levels and could become catastrophic without urgent and decisive action.

How are extreme weather events influencing adaptation policies?

Climate-proofing the agriculture, energy and transport sectors should not only be seen as a cost, but also as an investment that can prevent billions of euros in losses from increasingly frequent floods, droughts, heatwaves and wildfires.

 ‘Making agriculture, energy and transport climate resilient’ shows how such investment can deliver a triple dividend: reducing losses, saving lives and protecting people, while also unlocking economic potential, including job creation and improved competitiveness.

How small municipalities contribute to climate adaptation

With around 40% of Europeans living in small municipalities, climate adaptation efforts must go beyond larger cities. The EEA briefing ‘Small but mighty — climate resilience in Europe’s small municipalities’ presents inspiring local case studies showing how municipalities are building resilience through leadership, collaboration and integration into plans and policies.

At the same time, limited funding, staff shortages, restricted access to data and expertise, and unclear responsibilities continue to constrain action.

Climate resilience must "leave no one behind"

As climate change impacts intensify across Europe, society must become better prepared — but everyone must be included. A new EEA report shows that vulnerable groups like the elderly, children, low-income households and people with disabilities, are most at risk and often do not benefit fairly from climate adaptation efforts.

The report urges all levels of government to put social justice at the heart of climate adaptation, with clear actions to build a resilient and inclusive Europe. 

Other topics you might be interested in:

• Agriculture and food system
• Climate
• Climate change mitigation: reducing emissions
• Energy
• Energy efficiency
• Environmental inequalities
• Extreme weather: floods, droughts, and heatwaves 
• Forests and forestry
• Health 
• Land use
• Renewable energy
• Seas and coasts 
• Sustainability challenges
• Sustainable finance

External links:

• Climate-ADAPT  - 10 case studies
• Climate-ADAPT - European Climate and Health Observatory
• Climate-ADAPT – Country profiles national adaptation strategies and plans
• Copernicus in-situ component
• Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S)
• United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) processes