When natural or man-made disasters hit, it’s crucial to act fast and use all the means at our disposal. But often countries cannot cope with such situations alone. That’s when the EU Civil Protection Mechanism comes to the rescue.

EU Civil Protection Mechanism - responding to crises hand in hand

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

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 - 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

REGI Delegation in La Palma - Press Conference and the Meeting with the Spanish Authorities

Closing statements of the debate by Closing statement by Hadja LAHBIB, European Commissioner for Equality, and European Commissioner for Preparedness and Crisis Management, on the need to strengthen EU readiness, preparedness, and solidarity mechanisms following recent extreme weather events in southern Europe. MEPs question Commission representatives on EU action to prevent and prepare for natural disasters, following the launch of the 2025 EU’s Preparedness Union Strategy, and to support EU countries affected by enhancing civil protection and related funding. In early 2026, Portugal, southern Italy and Malta experienced severe weather, including cyclone Harry and storm Kristin, which caused casualties and significant damage to coastal areas. The storms brought floods, landslides, and the highest ever recorded waves in the Mediterranean.

Extreme weather events in particular in Portugal, southern Italy, Malta and Greece - European response in strengthening readiness, preparedness and solidarity mechanisms: closing statement by Hadja LAHBIB, European Commissioner for Equality

MEPs debate debate the need to strengthen EU readiness, preparedness, and solidarity mechanisms following recent extreme weather events in southern Europe. MEPs question Commission representatives on EU action to prevent and prepare for natural disasters, following the launch of the 2025 EU’s Preparedness Union Strategy, and to support EU countries affected by enhancing civil protection and related funding. In early 2026, Portugal, southern Italy and Malta experienced severe weather, including cyclone Harry and storm Kristin, which caused casualties and significant damage to coastal areas. The storms brought floods, landslides, and the highest ever recorded waves in the Mediterranean.

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

Opening statement by Hadja LAHBIB, European Commissioner for Equality, and European Commissioner for Preparedness and Crisis Managementon on the debate on the need to strengthen EU readiness, preparedness, and solidarity mechanisms following recent extreme weather events in southern Europe. MEPs question Commission representatives on EU action to prevent and prepare for natural disasters, following the launch of the 2025 EU’s Preparedness Union Strategy, and to support EU countries affected by enhancing civil protection and related funding. In early 2026, Portugal, southern Italy and Malta experienced severe weather, including cyclone Harry and storm Kristin, which caused casualties and significant damage to coastal areas. The storms brought floods, landslides, and the highest ever recorded waves in the Mediterranean. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Extreme weather events in Portugal, southern Italy, Malta and Greece - European response in strengthening readiness, preparedness and solidarity mechanisms: opening statement by Hadja LAHBIB, European Commissioner for Equality

This infoclip shows images from the floods in Valencia and Balearic Islands, reconstruction efforts, rescue teams in action, searches for survivors, and street cleanup. © Images are strictly for journalistic purposes. For any other use, please contact the press office of the Spanish Emergency Military Unit (Unidad Militar de Emergencias).

Infoclip: Aftermath of the floods in Spain (2024-2025)

Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, addressed the wildfire crisis in Europe, calling it the worst wildfire season since records began. She noted that at least eight people have died and over 1 million hectares of land have burned this year, with Portugal and Spain particularly affected. President Metsola expressed solidarity with those suffering and with the firefighters battling the flames, stating, “Europe stands with you”. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Statement by Roberta METSOLA, EP President, on the recent wildfires in Spain and Portugal

This infoclip shows images of wildfires, firefighters extinguishing fires, evacuations of the population in Spain and Italy. In 2025, the wildfire season has been well above average, with a cumulative burnt area in the European Union of more than 1 million hectares, according to the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS). It’s the highest value ever recorded inside the European Union since 2006. Between 8 and 19 August, the estimated total burnt area in both Portugal and Spain was over 500,000 hectares, according to EFFIS, making it the countries’ highest value of burnt areas ever recorded in mid-August, comparable to almost twice the size of Luxembourg. © Images of firefighters battling fires in Spain are strictly for journalistic purposes. For any other use, please contact the press office of the Spanish Emergency Military Unit (Unidad Militar de Emergencias).

Infoclip: Wildfires in Europe

This infoclip shows images of extreme weather events like floods, fires, and droughts, alongside efforts to protect the environment, such as ocean plastic collection. It also depicts factory chimneys, cars, and airplanes, before shifting to wind farms, solar panels, and eco-friendly fuels. In the annual State of the Union (SOTEU) debate, the President of the European Commission should address the most pertinent topics, including also building a competitive, resilient agriculture and food system, safeguarding biodiversity, and preparing for a changing climate to secure a sustainable future. © Images of firefighters battling fires and aiding in flood relief efforts are strictly for journalistic purposes. For any other use, please contact the press office of the Spanish Emergency Military Unit (Unidad Militar de Emergencias).

Infoclip: Protection of environment

MEPs, with Commission and Council representatives, debate the EU’s preparations for Europe’s upcoming wildfire and drought season. In the recently launched EU preparedness union strategy, the Commission set out its intention to build on the success of the EU’s rescEU strategic reserve for disaster response, so that it can maintain and possibly scale up its existing capabilities, including aerial firefighting. Drought already affected large parts of Europe this spring, with the situation expected to worsen with rising temperatures. MEPs are likely to ask for details on specific planned EU measures to prevent and prepare for this summer’s wildfires and droughts, as well as on the status of EU climate resilience and preparedness policies

Council and Commission statements - EU Preparedness Union in light of the upcoming wildfire and droughts season: Statements Marie BJERRE, Danish Minister for European Affairs and Hadja LAHBIB, Commissioner for Equality; Preparedness and Crisis Mana

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