European Environment Agency’s report titled “European Climate Risk Assessment” published in January 2024.[1] This report provides important information on how human-induced climate change is affecting the Earth globally and how Europe in particular is affected. This report states that 2023 was the hottest year globally, with the global average temperature exceeding pre-industrial levels by 1.5°C. Europe is experiencing rapid warming, leading to an increase in extreme weather events and a change in precipitation patterns. At the same time, heavy rainfall and floods are increasing in some regions.
Climate change can exacerbate existing crises and cause system-wide challenges, affecting vulnerable social groups and critical infrastructure. The impacts are already evident, with extreme events causing widespread damage and demonstrating the interconnectedness of various systems. Urgent global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions are vital in determining the magnitude and pace of future changes. Integrated adaptation policies, which incorporate multiple objectives, require climate change issues to be addressed in a significant way.
Climate change acts as a risk multiplier, intensifying crises and vulnerabilities around Europe. Interactions between climate-related hazards and non-climate factors threaten food security, public health, ecosystems, infrastructure and the economy. These threats multiply through interrelated systems, affecting different sectors and vulnerable social groups. Identifying these risks is crucial for effective risk reduction strategies and explains the importance of addressing vulnerabilities at their root causes. Comprehensive adaptation policies should increase the resilience of social systems while protecting basic human needs, addressing existing inequalities and prioritising support for vulnerable groups.
Climate risks in Europe are multifaceted and are shaped not only by climate-related risks, but also by non-climatic risk factors. Factors such as unsustainable land use, ageing infrastructure and poor health services greatly increase vulnerability to climate impacts. The European Climate Risk Assessment (EUCRA) rigorously identifies and analyses 36 major climate risks in the areas of ecosystems, food security, health, infrastructure and economy. In particular, Southern Europe, low-lying coastal areas and the outermost regions of the EU are geographies with multiple risks and require urgent action.
The impact of climate risks crosses geographical boundaries and affects sectors such as tourism, agriculture and forestry across Europe. Regions largely characterised by unemployment, poverty and ageing populations are vulnerable. Urban areas in particular face high risks from heat waves and extreme rainfall, exacerbated by limited green environments.
Effective adaptation policies can build resilience to climate risks, prioritise regional differences and take socio-economic inequalities into account. The long-term consequences of current decisions underline the need for urgent action to avoid serious impacts in the future. By analysing climate hazards and non-climate risk factors, policy experts are developing comprehensive strategies to mitigate the impacts of climate change and promote a more resilient future for Europe.
The state of European ecosystems is threatened by human-induced climate change. Coastal and marine ecosystems face different risks from climate-related drivers such as marine heatwaves, acidification and pollution. These risks jeopardise both biodiversity and ecosystems that are vital for human well-being. Terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems are also at serious risk, with potential catastrophic scenarios emerging due to high warming. Longer droughts and forest fires are the main threats, exacerbated by poor management practices.
Europe’s forests are important for carbon sequestration and biodiversity, but there are also increasing threats from the climate crisis, such as forest fires and insect outbreaks. These degradations undermine the capacity of forests to be a source of oxygen. It is crucial to strengthen existing climate policies, prioritise ecosystem restoration and reduce pollution from agricultural and industrial activities. Furthermore, guidance on spatial planning and soil health and improved marine planning are essential to protect Europe’s ecosystems in a changing climate.
In the context of the food cluster, climate risks threaten crop production and food security in the southern regions of Europe. These risks include crop failures due to prolonged droughts and extreme heat, as well as extreme droughts and extreme weather events. Climate-related disruptions in international supply chains and ecosystems exacerbate these risks, affecting food affordability and accessibility, especially for underdeveloped communities.
To address these challenges, policy experts should apply a multi-pronged approach. It should include building resilience through measures such as the promotion of drought-resistant crops and sustainable agricultural practices. It should also include raising awareness of water-intensive production methods and promoting diversity in agriculture. Harmonisation between EU policies, in particular the Common Agricultural Policy and the Common Fisheries Policy, is essential to effectively address climate risks.
Promoting a shift towards sustainable diets, such as plant-based diets, increases food security by alleviating pressure on resources. Social policies ensure shared access to nutritious food for all segments of society. A holistic and coordinated approach is important to reduce the complexity of climate change and protect food production and security in Europe.
Climate change poses increasing threats to public health, particularly in Europe, where heat waves, wildfires and infectious diseases are on the rise. Heat-related ailments, exacerbated by an ageing population, require urgent action in Southern Europe, where heat risks are critical. Forest fires not only destroy homes and infrastructure, but also pose health risks through smoke inhalation and burn injuries. Infectious diseases, such as West Nile Virus and tick-borne diseases, increase in warmer weather as we move northwards.
Climate change, especially flooding, extreme weather events and changes in the energy system pose significant risks to infrastructure. Policy priorities include conducting assessments, increasing critical infrastructure resilience and combining climate adaptation with energy policies. This requires coordinated efforts at EU level emphasising systemic adaptation, regulatory oversight and the incorporation of climate projections into infrastructure standards. Furthermore, addressing the cooling needs of buildings and managing water scarcity in energy infrastructure planning are important priorities. Overall, preventive steps are essential to mitigate the potentially devastating impacts of climate change on Europe’s infrastructure and ensure the continuity of essential services.
The economy and finance also face critical climate-related risks. European solidarity mechanisms are challenged by costly climate events that threaten public finances and financial stability. Shifts in the pricing of climate risks in financial markets could exacerbate vulnerabilities. Policy priorities include promoting business-led adaptation, strengthening public finance resilience and promoting access to weather-related insurance. These measures aim to reduce risks, ensure financial stability and increase resilience to the impacts of climate change.
Europe faces urgent climate risks in its outermost regions, such as tropical cyclones and sea level rise. Stronger EU policies as well as regional approaches are needed to address these challenges. Key priorities include a precautionary policy approach, inclusive decision-making and co-operation across governance levels. The impacts of climate change on vulnerable regions are mitigated by investing in resilience and addressing vulnerabilities.
The European Environment Agency’s “European Climate Risk Assessment” report of January 2024 details the impacts of human-induced climate change in Europe and worldwide and calls for urgent action. The rapid warming that Europe is facing is leading to increased extreme weather events, altered rainfall patterns and imbalances in ecosystems. Furthermore, climate change is known to deepen existing crises, affecting vulnerable social groups and critical infrastructure. In this context, it can be stated that integrated adaptation policies are of vital importance for an effective fight against climate change. As a result, the need for urgent and comprehensive actions in the fight against the climate risks that Europe faces is evident.
[1] “European Climate Risk Assessment”, European Environment Agency, https://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/european-climate-risk-assessment, (Date of Acces: 16.03.2024).
