- Europe suffered its worst fire season on record last year, with more than a million hectares burned.
- The head of the EU's emergency response centre warned that Greece, Italy, and Central Europe are set to face heightened wildfire risk in the coming weeks.
- Italy will face wildfire risk at the beginning of August, with concerns that if the Iberian Peninsula is also affected, all of Europe could be at risk.
- Current fire situation in Europe is similar to last year, with the potential for another record-breaking season.
- Climate risk management is not solely the responsibility of environment or climate ministries; all sector ministries exposed to climate impact need to adapt.
- Last year, the cost of climate-related disasters in Europe reached €208 billion, with a significant portion occurring in the last four years.
- EU adaptation policies are in place across all member states, but implementation is hindered by unclear risk ownership and coordination failures.
The EU has raised alarms about an increasing wildfire threat in Italy and Greece, with the head of the EU's emergency response center indicating that the risk is already shifting to these regions.
The warning comes as Europe grapples with severe climate impacts this summer, following a record year in which over a million hectares of land were burned. "We have the potential that this is another record," said Zuber, highlighting the urgency of the situation.
The European Environmental Agency (EEA) has reported that every member state now has an adaptation policy, but implementation is hindered by unclear risk ownership and uncertain financing. “It is much cheaper to prepare than to repair,” experts emphasize, noting that the benefit-cost ratios for adaptation investment range from 2:1 to 10:1.
As the heat wave intensifies, the EU's adaptation machinery is in motion, but challenges remain. “Climate risk management is not the responsibility of environment or climate ministries,” experts warn, urging all sector ministries to recognize the changing landscape.5
With Italy facing heightened risks at the beginning of August, the situation remains precarious. “If (it is) there as well, we will have all Europe on fire,” Zuber cautioned, underscoring the potential for widespread devastation across the continent.
“The European Environmental Agency reports that every member state now has an adaptation policy, but implementation is hindered by unclear risk ownership and financing issues. With the potential for another record fire season, experts emphasize that preparation is much cheaper than repair, with benefit-cost ratios for adaptation investments ranging from 2:1 to 10:1.”
