“This deserves to be among the top priorities of the next policy cycle,” Ylä-Mononen said.
The researchers assessed 36 climate risks in five thematic areas — ecosystems, food, health, infrastructure, and economy and finance — finding that 21 of them need greater preparation now. Eight were categorized as particularly pressing. Each chapter comes with a set of policy recommendations.
“Each of these risks alone has the potential to cause significant environmental degradation, economic damage, social emergencies and political turbulences,” the report reads. “Their combined effects are even more impactful.”
The European Commission, the EU’s executive arm, will offer its reaction to the document on Tuesday. According to a draft seen by POLITICO last week, the missive mainly urges EU capitals to act and contains few concrete suggestions. It does offer an ominous warning, however, that water scarcity could spark conflict within Europe.
2. Restoring nature isn’t optional
The need for action is most acute in Europe’s natural ecosystems.
Coastal and marine regions are already facing “critical” threats, the assessment warns, as climate change is exacerbating unsustainable management practices and industrial pollution.
