Just five years ago, the fight against climate change was at the forefront of public discourse, fuelled by strong advocacy for greater ambition in addressing this critical issue. Movements like Fridays for Future gained global prominence, inspiring widespread action and influencing political agendas worldwide. Within the EU, this momentum catalysed the first Von der Leyen Commission to propose the European Green Deal; a comprehensive package of initiatives aimed at combating climate change and positioning Europe as the first carbon-neutral continent.
However, the landscape has shifted dramatically in just a few years. Today, following the Covid-crisis, a major war on Europe’s borders, and record inflation, the focus and the public support for stronger actions to fight climate change appears to have been severely weakened. The European Green Deal, once heralded as a bold roadmap to sustainability, has become a contentious issue in political debates. This shift has been particularly evident during the European elections in June 2024 and in their aftermath, where parties critical of the EU’s green agenda gained ground, while traditional pro-European parties experienced a decline or at best remained constant. Even among mainstream political forces, support for the Green Deal has weakened, with increasing calls for revisions, delays, or even the outright modification of certain provisions.
We can no longer wait to adopt adaptation measures
Nonetheless, the effects of climate change and extreme weather-related events are not only still present but have worsened over the past five years. In recent years, Europe has seen devastating floods following record rainfall, droughts, heatwaves and wildfires of magnitudes not experienced in hundreds of years, that have resulted in substantial human, economic and infrastructure losses. Among these challenges, the increasing occurrence of floods across many parts of Europe has underscored the urgent need not only to prevent these phenomena but also to address their consequences effectively.
Recent developments highlight the critical importance of this issue. In September, a powerful storm caused devastating floods across Central Europe, severely affecting the Czech Republic, Poland, Austria, and neighbouring countries. Just weeks later, torrential rainfall in Spain led to flash floods and hailstorms, with the regions of Valencia and Andalusia particularly hard hit, suffering widespread damage.
Regardless of how effective Europe’s efforts to combat climate change and achieve net-zero emissions may be, these events are already happening and are likely to increase in frequency and intensity in the coming years. That is why Europe must reclaim its leadership on climate action, not only by advancing initiatives to fight climate change but, also by implementing effective climate adaptation measures.
Indeed, while climate change mitigation involves efforts to reduce or prevent the emission of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, aiming to limit the magnitude and rate of long-term climate change, climate adaptation refers to the process of adjusting to actual or expected climate effects to moderate harm or exploit beneficial opportunities. This includes implementing measures such as building flood defences, developing drought-resistant crops, and modifying infrastructure to withstand extreme weather events.
Climate mitigation and adaptation can be seen as two sides of the same coin, both serving as preventive measures. However, while mitigation focuses on addressing the root causes of climate change to reduce the frequency and intensity of extreme events in the long term, adaptation aims to tackle and minimize their immediate and short-term effects. Consequently, adaptation goals are often easier to achieve, as they are less costly both economically and socially. By implementing preventive adaptation measures, the impact of extreme weather events can be mitigated in ways that complement ongoing efforts to reduce emissions and promote sustainability. These measures address the immediate consequences of extreme events, such as floods, without requiring individuals to drastically change their habits or industries to overhaul their processes in the short term. Moreover, adaptation initiatives often yield tangible benefits quickly, such as protecting communities during a flood, making them practical, cost-effective, and well-received by the public. These measures can work alongside climate mitigation efforts, creating a comprehensive strategy to address both the causes and effects of climate change.
Therefore, effective adaptation will be crucial to prevent future economic and social losses. Despite €8 billion being spent annually on preventive measures, climate-related damages exceeded €50 billion in 2022 alone, with the European Environment Agency (EEA) reporting €162 billion in losses between 2021 and 2023. For every euro spent on prevention, up to ten euros can be saved in response and reconstruction costs. The human factor is equally significant: in 2023, 63 lives were lost to storms, 44 to floods, and 44 to wildfires. In 2024, so far, nearly 300 lives have been lost across Europe, with over 200 of these deaths occurring in Valencia alone.
Furthermore, natural disasters have an asymmetric social impact. Vulnerable populations, such as those living in flood-prone or known wildfire areas due to the availability of cheaper housing, are disproportionately affected. Elderly individuals are especially at risk, as they are often less willing or able to relocate and face reduced mobility. In the event of sudden disasters, this lack of mobility heightens their vulnerability, as they may be unable to evacuate in time when danger strikes. Addressing these social inequalities is crucial for ensuring a fair and effective approach to climate change.
The need for a new legislative framework for adaptation
In this sense, the current EU framework is unfit to face the challenges reality is presenting. The EU’s flood risk management framework, based on the 2007 Floods Directive, effectively monitors risks but falls short in driving coordinated preventive action. Bureaucracy, underfunding, and rising flood frequency have left Europe increasingly vulnerable. The 2021 Strategy for adaptation to climate change put more emphasis on the risk of water scarcity than on the flood risk, which, as we recently experienced, shouldn’t be overlooked.
In the political guidelines presented to the European Parliament following her re-election as President of the European Commission in July 2024, Ursula von der Leyen announced her intention to introduce a new European Climate Adaptation Plan during this mandate. This commitment was echoed in the mission letter addressed to the Commissioner for Climate Action, Wopke Hoekstra. The proposed adaptation plan aims to put forward a series of initiatives to mitigate the impact of extreme weather events, enhance preventive measures, and adopt a comprehensive approach to water management, with a particular focus on flood prevention.
However, while the direction is promising, how the Commission intends to achieve these goals remains unclear. Recent discussions appear to prioritize the implementation and development of nature-based solutions; strategies that involve protecting, managing, and restoring ecosystems to address societal challenges. While the broader adoption of nature-based solutions is certainly desirable, their definition remains blurred and imprecise, which could result in vague or inconsistent criteria for implementation. Furthermore, while these solutions hold significant potential, they must be complemented by innovative technological approaches, which have often proven more reliable and effective in many cases. These may include, for instance, effective systems for flood prevention and defences, such as barriers, walls or dams.
As the Letta, Draghi, and Niinistö reports begin to shape the agenda of the new Commission, it is essential to prioritise preparedness for the adverse effects of extreme weather events and floods to ensure the proper functioning of the single market while safeguarding competitiveness. A flood in one part of the EU can disrupt entire supply chains within the interconnected market, diverting human and financial resources toward repairing damage that could have been prevented. This not only impacts regional economies but also undermines broader economic growth and wealth across Europe.
As the Niinistö report suggests, Europe must be fully prepared to face these challenges, ensuring that the increasing frequency of such events, now becoming the norm in some regions, does not cause lasting harm to economic stability and development. Proactive measures today will determine the resilience and competitiveness of Europe’s economy tomorrow.
For all these reasons, the Climate Adaptation Plan provides a unique opportunity for Europe to scale up its ambition, particularly in the areas of crisis preparedness and disaster mitigation. By shifting from a reactive and costly reconstruction approach to proactive disaster preparedness, Europe can better address the recurring nature of these phenomena. Building resilience in Europe should embrace this forward-thinking concept, ensuring a better prepared future.
This strategic approach will contribute to safeguarding communities, protecting critical infrastructure, and bolstering the EU economy. In an era of escalating climate challenges, Europe must lead by ensuring resilience through innovative, effective, and sustainable protection solutions.
Europe now faces a critical moment to acknowledge the reality of our changing world and build resilience to meet future challenges effectively. By complementing its climate mitigation efforts with robust and efficient adaptation measures, the continent can safeguard its future. Inaction would leave Europe vulnerable, exposing it to devastating losses. The path forward is clear, resilience and adaptation are not an option.
The upcoming European Climate Adaptation Plan presents a unique opportunity for stakeholders across various sectors to engage in shaping a more resilient Europe. Whether you are a business involved in the development of climate adaptation measures or are looking to adapt your operations to climate risks, a public authority seeking guidance on implementing effective adaptation measures, or an organisation aiming to influence the policymaking process, this is the moment to act.
Our team specialises in navigating the EU policy landscape, providing strategic advice, and facilitating meaningful engagement with key decision-makers. Contact us to learn how we can support your efforts to adapt and thrive in a changing climate!
by Farweb