A call to action for a climate-resilient Europe. Interview with Hans-Martin Füssel.
As Europe grapples with the escalating impacts of climate change, urgent action is imperative to address the multifaceted risks threatening the continent’s well-being. In an interview with Hans-Martin Füssel, an EEA Expert in Climate Change Adaptation, we delve into the findings of the European Climate Risk Assessment (EUCRA) report. From heatwaves to floods, the report sheds light on critical challenges and underscores the need for proactive measures that safeguard Europe’s future amidst the climate crisis.
Europe faces escalating climate risks across various sectors, posing significant threats to energy security, food production, ecosystems, infrastructure, water resources, financial stability, and public health. The European Environment Agency (EEA) has issued the first European Climate Risk Assessment (EUCRA), underscoring the critical levels many risks have already reached and the potential for serious consequences without swift action.
The assessment reveals that Europe’s policies and adaptation efforts are lagging behind, with urgent action required, particularly in regions like Southern Europe that are vulnerable to wildfires, droughts, and heatwaves. The report identifies 36 major climate risks across ecosystems, food security, health, infrastructure, and the economy, with urgent attention needed to conserve ecosystems, protect against extreme heat, floods, and wildfires, and ensure the viability of European solidarity mechanisms.
“Our new analysis shows that Europe faces urgent climate risks that are growing faster than our societal preparedness,” says EEA Executive Director Leena Ylä-Mononen. “To ensure the resilience of our societies, European and national policymakers must act now to reduce climate risks both by rapid emission cuts and by strong adaptation policies and actions.”
The EUCRA report aims to synthesize and complement existing climate impact knowledge to guide policymakers in navigating Europe’s increasingly complex climate landscape. Drawing on insights from various sources, including the IPCC, Copernicus Climate Change Service, and national assessments, it offers a comprehensive framework to support proactive measures in confronting Europe’s climate risks head-on.
Hans-Martin Füssel, an EEA Expert in Climate Change Adaptation, was involved in the European Climate Risk Assessment (EUCRA) report since the early planning of the project in 2022. In this interview, Füssel offers his insights and a comprehensive overview of the EUCRA’s key findings, its challenges and opportunities.
How did the EEA decide to undertake the EUCRA, and which specific research topics were instrumental in addressing the main issues highlighted in the report?
The European Commission committed itself to conduct a European Climate Risk Assessment in the revised EU Adaptation Strategy adopted in 2021. Later, the Commission asked the EEA to conduct this assessment, in close cooperation with relevant experts and stakeholders.
The first EUCRA was conducted in a relatively short time frame, about one and a half years. Therefore, it was not possible to conduct substantial new research or quantitative modeling. The first EUCRA draws on a wide range of relevant research, from climate science to environmental science, and from public health to social sciences. This knowledge base was synthesized in a new way, 36 major climate risks for Europe were identified and evaluated in a structured way by an independent risk review panel. Furthermore, the EUCRA authors assessed the relevant policy context and the social justice implications of climate risks and adaptation policies. These efforts aim to make the available knowledge relevant and accessible for European policymakers.
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