Europe (Washington Insider Magazine) —In response to the alarming rise in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events across Europe, including floods, heatwaves, and wildfires, Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) have voiced their deep concerns. This call to action came during a resolution addressing the devastating floods affecting Austria, Czechia, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia, which was approved on September 19.
The resolution highlights the dissatisfaction of MEPs with recent budget cuts to the EU’s Civil Protection Mechanism. They stress the need for adequate funding to enhance preparedness and capacity building, particularly in light of the upcoming multi-annual EU budget. MEPs insist that the EU Solidarity Fund must be adjusted to reflect the rising number and severity of natural disasters in Europe. They are also urging the European Commission to expedite the mobilization of funds for affected countries and to provide additional technical and financial support through cohesion policy instruments.
Looking toward the future, the resolution calls for increased EU investment in regional and local resilience initiatives. MEPs emphasize the importance of aligning future EU cohesion policy with climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies.
To further bolster these efforts, MEPs have urged the Commission to swiftly present a European Climate Adaptation Plan. This plan should include concrete legislative proposals aimed at strengthening EU resilience, adapting to climate change impacts, and enhancing coordination of national preparedness, planning, and cross-border cooperation. They also highlight the urgent need for investments in flood management and prevention measures to safeguard communities against future climate challenges.
