After a deadly heatwave that claimed 1,300 lives across western Europe, the European Commission has acknowledged that current policies are insufficient to keep pace with climate change. In a shift from mitigation to adaptation, Brussels plans to launch a comprehensive climate resilience strategy in the fourth quarter of 2024, aiming to move from reactive disaster management to proactive prevention.
An EU official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told reporters that heatwaves are likely to recur this summer and that the bloc must adopt a "profound shift in the philosophy of policies." The official emphasized the need for "a hold on the economy and approach and a profound system change that would allow us to move from recovery to anticipation and prevention."
Heat Stress Becomes Europe's Primary Climate Hazard
The Commission noted that approximately 75 percent of climate-related fatalities in Europe are now linked to heat stress, making extreme temperatures the continent's principal climate hazard. The World Health Organization's latest death toll estimate from the recent heatwave stands at 1,300, underscoring the urgency of the situation.
The 2024 European Climate Risk Assessment, which informed the Commission's warning, concluded that current European policies are failing to address the speed and scale of climate change. The EU official conceded that the Paris Agreement's 1.5°C target for maximum global warming "will be surpassed" in the coming years, reflecting a failure to honor the compact's pledges.
"That risk resistance showed beyond a doubt that European private policies or European policies at large are not keeping pace with the extensive and accelerating climate change," the official said. "So it was a wake up call for us."
Local Governments Urged to Act
Responsibility for preparing the continent for climate change must be shared with municipalities, the official stressed. Installation measures for air-conditioning, solar panels, or heat pumps are all regulated at regional or local level, meaning that Brussels cannot act alone.
"It is important that we also acknowledge that there are limits to how much we can do, including the inertia of the climate system. So these will probably get worse before they start getting better," the EU official added, saying regions and municipalities must be able to "decide the approach that works best for them."
The Commission highlighted European buildings as particularly ill-suited to rising temperatures. Most of the EU's building stock is old and inefficient, designed to retain heat rather than stay cool. Buildings account for around 40 percent of energy consumption and 36 percent of greenhouse gas emissions, according to EU data. The bloc has already updated rules on energy efficiency and appliance standards, allocating approximately €100 billion in EU funding for building renovation between 2021 and 2027.
However, implementation largely depends on member states and local authorities. As the EU official noted, "There are many effects of extreme heat – social disparities, energy prices, productivity... The issue we're facing is that the majority of the EU building stock is both old and inefficient, and is also not ready to withstand these high temperatures in many instances."
Regions and Cities Demand EU Funds
While EU co-legislators are currently deciding on the bloc's future budget, Kata Tüttő, President of the European Committee of the Regions and member of Budapest City Council, urged EU leaders to allocate more money for regions to invest in infrastructure, nature, and energy systems "instead of becoming a permanent crisis-response tool."
"Every heatwave, every drought, every wildfire and every flood reminds us that our cities are heating up, our rivers are drying up and our communities are becoming more vulnerable," Tüttő said. "Local and regional authorities remain responsible for delivering most climate adaptation and mitigation measures. The question now is whether they will still have the resources to continue."
Mohamed Ridouani, Mayor of Leuven and president of Energy Cities, echoed this call. He urged national leaders to ensure that cities and regions remain central to EU investment. "Local authorities turn Europe’s competitiveness and cohesion goals into tangible results for businesses and citizens on the ground," Ridouani said in a statement on 15 June.
As Europe grapples with the reality of more frequent and intense heatwaves, the Commission's pivot to adaptation marks a significant policy shift. Yet the success of this strategy will depend on whether local governments receive the financial and regulatory support they need to implement effective measures. For now, the burden of cooling Europe falls increasingly on cities and regions, from Leuven to Budapest, as they confront the limits of both infrastructure and budgets.
