Published 3 hours ago • loading... • Updated 1 hour ago

EU ill-prepared for worsening climate change, advisers say

On Feb 17, the European Scientific Advisory Board on Climate Change said the European Union is unprepared and must urgently boost adaptation investments to protect against floods, heatwaves, and wildfires, while the European Commission plans a new climate resilience strategy later this year.
Preparing for higher warming, the advisers said the EU should plan for 2.8 to 3.3°C of warming by 2100, with measures like avoiding flood-prone housing and supporting drought-hit farmers.
EU data show weather extremes cause 45 billion euros per year in damage, only a quarter insured, with 2023 floods in Slovenia costing 11% of GDP.
The warning implies without stronger preparations, EU competitiveness will decline, budgets strain, and security risks increase, Ottmar Edenhofer, advisory board chair, said, 'It is a lack of coherence, a lack of coordination, and also a lack of budget.'
The World Meteorological Organization notes Europe is the world's fastest-warming continent, with the UN finding national pledges would still lead to 2.3 to 2.5°C of warming this century.

Insights by Ground AI