European cities adapting too slowly to climate change risks, study finds

A study published in The Lancet reveals that European cities are adapting to climate change at a critically slow pace, leaving millions of residents vulnerable to escalating health risks. The research analyzed 28 health and climate indicators across 850 European urban centers.

In Southern Europe, heat-related mortality has increased by 161% in recent decades, while the risk of wildfires has risen by 7%. Eastern European cities have seen a 369% increase in conditions conducive to the transmission of dengue fever, and pollen concentrations have doubled in both Southern and Eastern Europe. Scientists note that Europe is warming at nearly twice the global average rate.

While over 1,500 initiatives—such as early warning systems and urban greening—have been implemented, researchers argue that political, economic, and technical barriers are stalling necessary large-scale transformations. The study emphasizes that while green interventions have successfully reduced urban surface heat by 0.7°C in 88% of cities with over 100,000 inhabitants, more urgent action is required to integrate warning systems, increase tree canopy, and promote sustainable mobility.