EU Advisory Board on Climate Change publishes recommendations on climate adaptation
The European Scientific Advisory Board on Climate Change has published a report titled 'Strengthening resilience to climate change – Recommendations for an effective EU adaptation policy framework', calling on the EU to urgently strengthen its policy framework for climate adaptation. The report sets out five recommendations to guide ongoing EU policy processes: mandating and harmonising climate risk assessments across EU policies and Member States using common climate scenarios; adopting a common reference for adaptation planning preparing for climate risks consistent with 2.8-3.3°C of global warming by 2100; setting a clear vision for a climate-resilient EU by 2050 supported by sectoral strategies and measurable adaptation targets; embedding fair and just climate resilience by design across EU policies, programmes and investments; and mobilising public and private adaptation investment whilst establishing a coherent approach to managing growing costs of climate impacts through the EU budget, economic governance and risk-sharing mechanisms. The Advisory Board notes that economic damages to infrastructure and physical assets currently average around €45bn per year, with extreme heat resulting in an estimated 24,000 premature deaths in summer 2025.