Europe is the continent warming the fastest due to climate change, and the effects are being felt throughout the region: deadly summer heatwaves and floods, devastating droughts, and a lack of snow on ski slopes in winter. Like other parts of the world, Europe must catch up on lost time and act immediately to adapt to the impact of rising temperatures. In many respects, the EU is a pioneer in adaptation, but the challenges are immense, the targets are constantly shifting, and many plans remain non-binding. Progress has been made, as the 27-member bloc has recently strengthened the coordination of member state response measures, but this needs to be faster and more uniform across the European Union if we want every one of its citizens to be protected from the worst consequences of global warming.

Extreme weather forces an ill-prepared Europe to focus on climate change adaptation

Deadly summer heatwaves, floods, and snowless ski slopes in winter are a warning sign: in addition to reducing emissions, Europe must urgently adapt to climate change. Temperatures in the region have risen more than twice as much as the global average, making climate change adaptation increasingly urgent, yet it remains a moving target. The EU is considered a world leader in adaptation and has recently strengthened the coordination of member state responses, but the problems are vast, many plans are still not legally binding, and it remains a policy of “recommendations.” Preparations are also hindered by the fact that climate change adaptation offers delayed benefits that are not tied to election cycles, as well as a lack of funding.

Q&A: Why does Europe need to adapt to the impact of climate change?

A series of extreme weather events have moved climate change adaptation to the forefront of European climate policy. This Q&A explains how rapidly the continent is warming, the impact and costs of rising temperatures, and why reducing emissions alone is not enough to prevent the effects of climate change.

Europe strengthens climate change adaptation due to floods and heatwaves

Recent extreme weather in Europe, such as heatwaves, droughts, and floods, has proven that the continent must be urgently prepared for the increasing impacts of climate change. Adaptation is taking place in various ways, ranging from coastal protection against rising sea levels to providing more shade in cities and transitioning to more resilient agricultural crops.

France prepares for a 4°C warming using a “tipping point” strategy

Shocked by recent heatwaves, floods, wildfires, and prolonged droughts, France is currently restructuring its strategy to cope with the impacts of climate change. As a “tipping point” in the country's adaptation efforts, the plans will include proposals on how to act if warming reaches 4 degrees Celsius, which experts believe will demonstrate that minor adjustments have become completely inadequate. The Paris municipality plans to use preparations for the 2024 Olympic Games to turn the capital into a model city for climate change adaptation.

Lack of coordination and oversight slows down climate change adaptation in Poland

As the impacts of climate change become increasingly visible, Poland is seeing more frequent heatwaves, droughts, and floods. The country has had adaptation plans in place for a decade, but a lack of coordination and oversight is hindering their effective implementation. However, both citizens and policymakers are increasingly aware that Poland must step up its efforts to combat the consequences of rising temperatures.

Denmark continues to hesitate with climate change adaptation plans

Although Denmark is known as a country at the forefront of using green technologies, such as wind energy, it has not paid enough attention to preventing the consequences of climate change. Since 2011, when the capital, Copenhagen, was hit by severe floods, some measures have been implemented to deal with heavy rainfall and rising sea levels. However, there is increasing recognition that adaptation measures need to be much more extensive, and delays in drafting a new national climate change adaptation plan are causing a growing lag.

Climate change adaptation plans are not being implemented in hard-hit Italy.

Italy has already been affected by the climate crisis, but the country's adaptation plans are considered insufficient. After record-breaking temperatures, droughts, and floods, the government published its first national adaptation plan late last year. However, think tanks argue that the allocated funds are far less than what is needed to address the significant impact of climate change on agriculture and countless other sectors. Nevertheless, there are several innovative research projects that could become models for future solutions.

Greece must make up for lost time in climate change adaptation

Several devastating wildfires and floods have forced Greece to accelerate long-overdue climate change adaptation measures. The establishment of a separate ministry to address the consequences of climate change shows that the government is starting to take the issue seriously, but the implementation of adaptation plans is hampered by underfunded and poorly prepared regional administrations.