‘Daunting but doable’: Europe urged to prepare for 3C of global heating

Europe faces a daunting but manageable challenge in preparing for a potential 3°C rise in global temperatures by the end of the century, according to the European Scientific Advisory Board on Climate Change (ESABCC). The board warns that current adaptation efforts are insufficient and often delayed, urging governments to urgently strengthen their resilience against extreme weather events. Maarten van Aalst, a leading climate expert and ESABCC member, emphasized that while the task is formidable, it largely involves common-sense measures rather than complex solutions. Recent climate-related disasters across Europe underscore the urgency of the situation. Severe flooding in southern Spain and Portugal has caused significant damage and loss of life, with the Portuguese army mobilized to assist affected communities. In Germany’s Ahr valley, heavy rains in 2021 resulted in 134 deaths, while Spain’s Valencia region saw 229 fatalities in 2024 due to similar events. Additionally, Europe’s summers have become increasingly deadly, with tens of thousands of heat-related deaths annually, many directly linked to rising temperatures. Last year’s wildfires also broke records for the area burned, highlighting the continent’s growing vulnerability to climate extremes. The ESABCC’s report stresses that the projected 3°C warming far exceeds the targets set by the 2015 Paris Agreement, which aimed to limit global heating to well below 2°C. The advisory board recommends that European policymakers prepare for even hotter scenarios by implementing comprehensive climate adaptation plans. Van Aalst noted that Europe’s current preparedness is inadequate, particularly for unprecedented weather conditions, and that the continent is already paying a price for delayed action. The report calls for a renewed commitment to climate resilience as part of broader efforts to safeguard public health, infrastructure, and economies against escalating climate risks.