In response to the escalating challenges posed by climate change, the European Union is proactively preparing for possible extreme weather events in 2024. This initiative, spearheaded by the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, reflects a concerted effort to enhance preparedness and response strategies across the continent.
The EU Civil Protection Mechanism is preparing for potential extreme weather events in 2024, reflecting the growing concerns of climate change. Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič, and Italian Minister for Civil Protection and Sea Policies, Nello Musumeci, initiated a key meeting on 30 November focusing on enhancing future responses to natural disasters.
This meeting, part of the “lessons learnt” series, involved 54 delegates from 30 European nations, aiming to refine the EU's response strategies based on past experiences. The focus extended to both wildfires and floods, in light of recent severe weather incidents.
The discussions and outcomes are intended to improve the EU's emergency responses and integrate these findings into specialised training. As climate change continues, the EU prioritises better preparation to mitigate its impacts.
In 2023, the EU Civil Protection Mechanism was activated ten times for wildfires and four times for floods, deploying substantial resources including planes, helicopters, and firefighters from various Member States.
The EU's strategy involves a coordinated response to disasters, with mechanisms like the Emergency Response Coordination Centre and the European Civil Protection Pool ensuring rapid and efficient assistance. Advanced systems like the European Forest Fire Information System and the EU's Copernicus emergency satellite mapping service support these efforts.
In Europe, climate breakdown is no longer some distant news. Extreme weather events, overwhelming national response services, are becoming an almost annual occurrence all around our continent. We can be proud that this year again we stood together. That no request for assistance to the EU Civil Protection Mechanism went unanswered. To keep up with the increasing rate and intensity of disasters, we must continue strengthening the Mechanism, and I call on Member States to sustain their preparedness, prevention and adaptation efforts.
The EU remains committed to combating climate effects, with Commissioner Lenarčič urging continued strengthening of response mechanisms and calling on Member States to maintain their preparedness and adaptation efforts.
