BRUSSELS: Europe faces an urgent call for stronger measures to strengthen healthcare systems, agriculture, and critical infrastructure against the mounting risks of severe climate change, according to a draft report by the European Environment Agency (EEA).
As the planet experiences increasingly frequent heatwaves, droughts, and flooding, the European Union (EU) is grappling with the need to enhance its resilience and adaptability to these environmental challenges. The draft report, seen by Reuters, underscores the pressing need for the EU to develop comprehensive strategies to address climate-related risks and integrate them into policies and budgets across various sectors of the economy.
The report highlights the significant economic toll of climate change, with weather and climate-related extremes costing EU countries over 650 billion euros ($708.11 billion) from 1980 to 2022. Notable incidents, such as the devastating floods in Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands in 2021, and flash floods in Slovenia last year, have resulted in staggering economic losses, underscoring the urgency of proactive measures.
Recommendations to Combat Climate Change
Among the key recommendations outlined in the draft report is the proposal for the EU to implement mandatory requirements to protect outdoor workers, particularly in industries like agriculture and construction, from extreme heat. Additionally, the report emphasizes the need for EU funding instruments to support countries in bolstering their healthcare systems to withstand the impacts of climate change, which disproportionately affect vulnerable and elderly populations.
The draft report also calls for stronger measures to address the heightened threat of droughts to agriculture, as well as mounting risks to critical infrastructure. To mitigate these risks, the EEA suggests updating standards such as Eurocodes to incorporate forward-looking climate data, ensuring that new infrastructure projects are resilient to future climate challenges.
