News
When floods strike, the EU LIFE programme is there to help
12 Oct 2020In Europe, floods are on the rise due to climate change. These extreme weather events often result in human tragedy, loss of life and economic losses. The environment also suffers with wildlife habitats being destroyed and water bodies being polluted. Several LIFE projects are working hard to alleviate the situation.
Evaluation of the socio-economic impact of climate change in Belgium
11 Sep 2020According to this report of the National Climate Commission, climate change in Belgium will mainly be felt through heat waves, floods and droughts. Warmer and more humid summers, and milder and humid winters are becoming normal. These impacts will affect a large number of sectors, resulting in major costs but also benefits, with costs dominating strongly. Well-considered and fair adaptation measures are required.
Get involved in EU Missions
11 Sep 2020Citizens get the opportunity to react to ideas that came out from the citizen engagement deliberative events on the respective Missions that have taken (and still are taking) place over the summer. Therefore, a call runs from 1st September to 14th September 2020. Ideas can be written in English, German and French. The results of the project will be announced on 22 September during the European Research and Innovation Days 2020.
Tackling pollution and climate change in Europe will improve health and well-being
08 Sep 2020Air and noise pollution, the impacts of climate change such as heatwaves, and exposure to dangerous chemicals cause ill health in Europe and contribute to 13 % of deaths. An integrated approach to environment and health policies is needed to tackle environmental risks, protect the most vulnerable and fully realise the benefits that nature offers in support of health and well-being, according to the EEA.
UNDRR/ISC publication ‘The hazard definition and classification review’
15 Aug 2020This United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) and International Science Council (ISC) technical report supports the Sendai Framework for DRR, the Sustainable Development Goals of Agenda 2030 and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change by providing a common set of hazard definitions.
Climate change in Germany: monitoring report shows far-reaching consequences
11 Aug 2020The second indicator-based monitoring report of the German Federal Government on the German Strategy for Adaptation to Climate Change informs the public and decision-makers in all areas of social life about the observed consequences of climate change and about the progress on adaptation in all relevant sectors.
Summer in the city: green infrastructure to keep urban areas cool
28 Jul 2020The last five years have been the hottest on record. Temperature records were broken in cities across Czechia, Spain, Germany, France, and Poland. Meanwhile, public health warnings were issued in Belgium, Italy, and Switzerland due to the intense warmth. The team at LIFE Tree Check project has come up with several solutions that can help cities across central Europe cope when the heat is on.
New film about adaptation in Sweden
23 Jun 2020The film "Adapt to a future climate – examples from municipalities” offers an introduction to how society can be adapted to a changing climate and why it is important. Representatives from several Swedish municipalities present how they have dealt with some of their challenges. The film has been produced by Swedish National Knowledge Centre for Climate Change Adaptation.
Scientific opinion - Adaptation to health effects of climate change in Europe
15 Jun 2020This scientific opinion, published in June 2020, examines which adaptation measures could strengthen the European health sector with respect to impacts from climate change. It focuses on vulnerable groups, regions and the urban environment, and the impact of vector-borne diseases, heat and heat waves.
Warming Europe invites dangerous mosquitos
13 May 2020As Europe warms up, it will become a more suitable home for one of the world’s most potent virus spreaders – the Asian tiger mosquito. This creature thrives at summer temperatures of 20–25°C, and survives the winter if January temperatures stay above 3°C. So as the world heats up, we will see them travelling north and south to find more comfortable conditions.