European agencies and institutions ramp up wildfire and climate adaptation efforts

UN agencies and European institutions are intensifying efforts to address the increasing risks posed by climate change, specifically regarding wildfires, droughts, and heatwaves. In the first eight months of 2026, over 600,000 hectares of land burned within the European Union. While this is lower than the record set in 2025, it remains significantly higher than the 20-year average of approximately 280,000 hectares.

Wildfire risks are expanding beyond traditionally fire-prone regions like France and Spain into Western and Central Europe, including the UK and southern Scandinavia. In Scotland, exceptionally dry conditions allowed a wildfire in the Cairngorms mountains to penetrate dry peat layers, necessitating major firefighting operations and evacuations near Nethy Bridge.

To combat these challenges, the European Investment Bank (EIB) has announced plans to invest €30 billion in climate adaptation projects by 2030, doubling its previous commitment. These funds aim to support water management, modern farming, and resilient infrastructure. Additionally, the European Commission has introduced a Climate Resilience package to assist local and national authorities in preparing for future climate trajectories.