Wanneer er een natuurramp of een door de mens veroorzaakte ramp plaatsvindt, is het cruciaal om snel te handelen en alle middelen die tot onze beschikking staan in te zetten. Maar vaak kan een land zulke situaties niet alleen aan. In zo’n geval is het EU-mechanisme voor civiele bescherming er om het land uit de brand te helpen.

Het EU-mechanisme voor civiele bescherming: samen noodsituaties het hoofd bieden

Declining yields due to warmer temperatures and less rain, biodiversity loss, increased risk of floods… the impacts of climate change on European agriculture are irrefutable… But what impact does agriculture have on climate change? And what role can it play in helping address this challenge?

EPRS policy podcast - EU agricultural policy and climate change

Climate change remains a key challenge. The EU and the European Parliament are working to ensure a more sustainable society and economy through ambitious policies at home and close cooperation with international partners. It is already on track to meet its greenhouse gas emissions reduction target for 2020, and has put forward a plan to further cut emissions by at least 55% by 2030.

By 2050, Europe aims to become the world’s first climate-neutral continent. Alongside reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the EU is also taking action to adapt to the impacts of climate change. By 2050, Europe aims to be a climate-resilient society. Climate action is at the heart of the European Green Deal – an ambitious package of measures ranging from drastically cutting greenhouse gas emissions, to investing in cutting-edge research and innovation, to preserving Europe’s natural environment.

Climate change

The ENVI Committee of the European Parliament exchanges views with Hadja LAHBIB, Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management, on the EU's response to the summer wildfires in Europe and the lessons learned from these events.

ENVI exchange of views on EU response to summer wildfires in Europe

Parliament debates strengthening the EU’s response to recurring heatwaves and wildfires as Europe faces record temperatures and rising risks. Following the third-warmest spring on record, an early May heatwave, and recent extreme heat, MEPs press the Commission on prevention and preparedness measures for escalating drought and wildfire threats.

Plenary debate on the EU response to recurring heatwaves and wildfires

On Thursday MEPs debate how droughts and extreme weather events pose significant threats to local communities and EU agriculture amid climate change. Increasingly frequent and severe droughts are straining water resources, impacting crop yields, and threatening food security across Europe. Extreme weather events, such as heatwaves and heavy rainfall, further exacerbate these challenges by causing crop failures, soil erosion, and damage to infrastructure.

Addressing these issues is essential not only for protecting the livelihoods of communities dependent on farming and rural economies but also for safeguarding agricultural productivity.

Droughts and extreme weather events as a threat to local communities and EU agriculture in times of climate change

EP Plenary Session - July 2026 - EU’s response and preparedness to protect people against recurring heatwaves and upcoming wildfires

EP Plenary Session - Extreme weather events in particular in Portugal, southern Italy, Malta and Greece: European response in strengthening readiness, preparedness and solidarity mechanisms

EP Plenary session - First anniversary of the DANA floods in Spain: improving EU preparedness

EP Plenary session - Devastating wildfires in Southern Europe: the need to strengthen EU aid to restore the massive loss of forests and enhancing EU preparedness

EP Plenary session - Voting session

EP Plenary session - Commission statement - The extreme wildfires in Southern Europe, in particular Portugal and Greece and the need for further EU climate action on adaptation and mitigation

EP Plenary session - Council and Commission statements - Towards a more disaster resilient EU - protecting people from extreme heatwaves, floods and forest fires

EP Plenary session - The water crisis in Europe

This Infoclip shows firehouses in Athens (Greece) and Biscaros (France), firefighters in action, fire trucks and canadairs, as well as severe damages in the Landes (France) due to wildfire.

Infoclip: Wildfires preparedness in Europe

This Infoclip showws the wildfires that ravage Biscaros, Landes' region near Bordeaux in France.

Infoclip: Wildfires in Biscaros (Landes, France) near the city of Bordeaux

This infoclip illustrates extreme heat in Europe through footage filmed in Brussels (Belgium) and Athens (Greece) during the summer heatwaves. It opens at the Royal Meteorological Institute in Brussels, where weather monitoring instruments and forecasters at work show how heatwaves are tracked across EU weather maps. In Brussels, residents adapt to the high temperatures: apartment windows covered with tinfoil, pharmacy thermometers reading +38°C, cold drinks, and people cooling off in public water fountains. In Athens, the footage shows public spaces in the summer heat and tourists visiting the Acropolis under high temperatures.

Infoclip: Heatwaves in Europe

Closing statements of the debate on EU’s response and preparedness to protect people against recurring heatwaves and upcoming wildfires. Parliament debates strengthening the EU’s response to heatwaves and wildfires as Europe faces record temperatures and early extreme heat. With the continent experiencing its third-warmest spring and intense heatwaves, MEPs question the Commission on prevention and preparedness for escalating drought and wildfire risks.

EU’s response and preparedness to protect people against recurring heatwaves and upcoming wildfires: closing statements

MEPs debate on EU’s response and preparedness to protect people against recurring heatwaves and upcoming wildfires. Parliament debates strengthening the EU’s response to heatwaves and wildfires as Europe faces record temperatures and early extreme heat. With the continent experiencing its third-warmest spring and intense heatwaves, MEPs question the Commission on prevention and preparedness for escalating drought and wildfire risks.

EU’s response and preparedness to protect people against recurring heatwaves and upcoming wildfires: MEPs debate (part 3)

EU’s response and preparedness to protect people against recurring heatwaves and upcoming wildfires: MEPs debate (part 2)

MEPs debate on EU’s response and preparedness to protect people against recurring heatwaves and upcoming wildfires, and Hadja LAHBIB, European Commissioner for Equality, and European Commissioner for Preparedness and Crisis Management, replies. Parliament debates strengthening the EU’s response to heatwaves and wildfires as Europe faces record temperatures and early extreme heat. With the continent experiencing its third-warmest spring and intense heatwaves, MEPs question the Commission on prevention and preparedness for escalating drought and wildfire risks.

EU’s response and preparedness to protect people against recurring heatwaves and upcoming wildfires: MEPs debate and reply by Hadja LAHBIB, European Commissioner for Equality, and European Commissioner for Preparedness and Crisis Management

Hadja LAHBIB, European Commissioner for Equality, and European Commissioner for Preparedness and Crisis Management and Thomas BYRNE, Irish Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, open the debate on EU’s response and preparedness to protect people against recurring heatwaves and upcoming wildfires. Parliament debates strengthening the EU’s response to heatwaves and wildfires as Europe faces record temperatures and early extreme heat. With the continent experiencing its third-warmest spring and intense heatwaves, MEPs question the Commission on prevention and preparedness for escalating drought and wildfire risks. This transcription is the result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

EU’s response and preparedness to protect people against recurring heatwaves and upcoming wildfires: opening statements by Thomas BYRNE, Irish Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, and Hadja LAHBIB, European Commissioner

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