By Micah Jonah
February 17, 2026
Europe is not prepared for worsening climate change and risks facing increasing floods, wildfires, and heatwaves, independent advisers have warned.
The European Scientific Advisory Board on Climate Change said the EU must urgently increase investments to protect people, infrastructure, and economies from mounting climate disasters.
“Lack of coordination, coherence, budget has left Europe exposed,” board chair, Ottmar Edenhofer said. “Without stronger preparations, extreme weather will harm competitiveness, public budgets, increase security risks.”
Economic losses from climate extremes are now estimated at 45 billion euros ($53 billion) annually, five times higher than in the 1980s, EU data show. Advisers recommended preparing for 2.8 to 3.3°C of warming by 2100 and implementing policies to protect cities, farms, and housing from climate impacts.
The board highlighted early warning systems, insurance coverage as critical measures, noting only a quarter of climate-related economic losses in Europe are currently insured.
The European Commission is expected to release a new strategy on “climate resilience” later this year, following record wildfires and floods in recent years that have caused widespread damage.
Experts say global temperatures are already 1.4°C above pre-industrial levels, and current national climate pledges may still lead to 2.3–2.5°C warming this century.
