The European Union must urgently accelerate its preparations for the growing risks associated with climate change, climatologists said in a report published today, warning that efforts across the bloc must be better coordinated, DPA reported.
"Extreme weather and climate events are already causing heavy losses across Europe," said Ottmar Edenhofer, chairman of the European Scientific Advisory Board on Climate Change, which published the report. "Extreme heat waves alone have led to tens of thousands of premature deaths in recent years."
In addition to damage to ecosystems, climate disasters cause economic losses amounting to an average of around 45 billion euros per year, Edenhofer added.
The Copenhagen-based advisory council warned that these dangers are likely to intensify. Europe is warming roughly twice as fast as the global average, with impacts already being felt in all regions, according to the report.
Along with efforts to limit greenhouse gas emissions, adaptation to climate change is crucial, the Council stressed.
Among its recommendations to increase the EU's resilience, the council called for mandatory and harmonised assessment of climate risks in all EU and member state policies. It also recommends a clear "vision for a climate-resilient EU by 2050", greater mobilisation of public and private investment and mainstreaming climate risks in all policy areas. The Union must prepare for different future scenarios and continuously monitor and evaluate adaptation measures, the advisory body said.