MEPs debate on the recent heat wave and drought in the EU where temperatures in some Member States have topped 40°C. Opening statement by Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, Vice-President of the European Commission.

Strasbourg

debate

plenary session

ŠEFČOVIČ, Maroš (SK, EC)

fight against climate change (T)

Recent heat wave and drought in the EU: opening statement by Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, Vice-President of the European Commission

SOUNDBITE (English), Maro&scaron; &Scaron;EFČOVIČ, Vice president of the European Commission, Mr President, honourable members, heatwaves are amongst the deadliest disaster risks in Europe. They hit the most vulnerable people and while at the same time, usually those who are at the most difficult situations are at the biggest risk. At the same time, we see also this summer the increased risk of sparkling wildfires on top of it, heatwaves contribute to water shortages and exacerbate droughts, as we can see in northern Italy these past days.

SOUNDBITE (English), Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, Vice president of the European Commission, The tragic event in Marmolada is just the latest example of disasters, risks linked to warmer temperatures, and thus, to climate change. The EU's Emergency Response Coordination Centre is monitoring the situation and stands ready to coordinate EU assistance if needed by Italian authorities.

SOUNDBITE (English), Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, Vice president of the European Commission, As you probably heard, the Copernicus Emergency Management Service, our Earth observation satellites operated by the European Commission's Joint Research Centre, provide information for emergency response for different natural hazards, floods, wildfires and droughts. And in its statistics show that since 2017, we have witnessed the most intense forest fires ever seen in Europe and that we unfortunately expect that the 2022 forest fire season could follow this trend.

SOUNDBITE (English), Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, Vice president of the European Commission, Similarly, the Copernicus Emergency Management Service indicate that the present drought in Europe could become the worst ever. If we are looking at the situation of the past years, we've been doing our utmost to to learn from this experience and therefore, commission has built an effective and flexible disaster response capacity under the Union's Civil Protection Mechanism.

SOUNDBITE (English), Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, Vice president of the European Commission, However, emergency support and response alone are not enough. Climate adaptation, disaster risk reduction and disaster preparedness are paramount. And this is true for Europe as well as for the rest of the world. So let's take the example of forest fires in the context of the European green deal. We strive to make our forest more biodiverse and more resilient. This is key to make forests less vulnerable to fires risk. And it is an example of how by working with nature, not against it, we can strengthen prevention and reduce disasters.

SOUNDBITE (English), Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, Vice president of the European Commission, In parallel, we work on preparedness under the union's Civil Protection Mechanism, this year, we financed by more than 14 million euro to support the rescue fleet capacities with 10 Canadairs, one hundred helicopter and two aircrafts. And we are planning to purchase 12 additional aircrafts under the RescEU when national capacities are overwhelmed. The RescEU is ready to step in to provide additional support to confront disasters in Europe and this year for the very first time in the EU's history.

SOUNDBITE (English), Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, Vice president of the European Commission, The Commission is financing the prepositioning of two hundred and four firefighters and ground vehicles from Bulgaria, Finland, France, Germany, Norway and Romania to Greece during July and August. The first teams already arrived last week. This is a truly European solidarity and action and a perfect example of disaster preparedness. And we will not stop there.

SOUNDBITE (English), Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, Vice president of the European Commission, The Commission will strengthen its anticipation and foresight capacity. We will prepare disasters' resilience goals, taking into account different risks and potential disaster scenarios. And one of these scenarios assesses the needs to face heatwaves.

SOUNDBITE (English), Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, Vice president of the European Commission, Honorable members, it is the EU's commitment if a disaster strikes to respond and to deliver assistance in the spirit of solidarity, both at home and abroad. Through the Union's Civil Protection Mechanism we pool our resources together and we provide a stronger and more coherent collective response, whatever the needs are.

SOUNDBITE (English), Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, Vice president of the European Commission, And we continue providing our support also after a disaster through the European Union Solidarity Fund, in coordination with other EU funds. Through latest amendments of the EU Solidarity Fund regulation, the threshold for the advances related to individual applications has been increased from 10 to maximum 25 percent of the amount of the financial contribution, or at the maximum amount of one hundred million euro from the previous agreed sum of 30 million.

SOUNDBITE (English), Maro&scaron; &Scaron;EFČOVIČ, Vice president of the European Commission, This provision is a crucial improvement in facilitating rapid disbursement of EUSF assistance in the form of meaningful advance. The overall objective is to provide support in the aftermath of disaster. But also plants the seed for future better resilience.