Sittings · Document
On the devastating floods in central and eastern Europe, the loss of lives and the EU’s preparedness to act on such disasters exacerbated by climate change
on behalf of the S&D Group · Rapporteur: Mohammed Chahim, Tiemo Wölken, Marcos Ros Sempere, Andreas Schieder, Krzysztof Śmiszek, Dan Nica, Klára Dobrev, Victor Negrescu
This resolution expresses solidarity with victims of the September 2024 floods in central and eastern Europe and calls for stronger EU climate action, adaptation, and disaster response.¶¶¶ It demands increased funding for the EU Solidarity Fund and other reserves, faster aid disbursal, and climate-proof infrastructure rebuilding.¶¶¶ It urges full implementation of existing climate and nature laws and adoption of new measures, including an EU climate adaptation law.¶¶¶
Key points
- Expresses sympathy and solidarity with victims and affected people in Austria, Czechia, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and also with those hit by wildfires in Greece and Portugal.¶
- Commends emergency services, volunteers, and military for their efforts in saving lives and protecting property.¶
- Calls for strengthened EU collective response through enhanced civil protection and climate adaptation and mitigation measures.¶
- Urges the EU to step up climate action to limit global warming to 1.5°C and enhance adaptation, in line with the European Climate Law and Paris Agreement.¶
- Calls on Member States to prioritize restoration of degraded ecosystems and for EU guidelines on post-emergency restoration plans.¶
- Calls for swift adoption of an EU climate adaptation law with measurable targets, including climate-proof critical infrastructure by 2030 and sustainable water management plans by 2027.¶
- Calls for full implementation of the 2030 climate and energy framework and Fit for 55, and for new post-2030 targets and revision of the European Climate Law.¶
- Calls for full implementation of the Nature Restoration Law to enhance synergies between climate mitigation, adaptation, disaster prevention, and restoration.¶
- Calls on the Commission to activate the European Solidarity Reserve and Emergency Aid Reserve without delay for clean-up and health risks.¶
- Calls for activation of mechanisms like the EUSF to provide quick, easy, and flexible financial assistance to affected countries.¶
- Calls for significantly increasing the EUSF budget and ensuring adequate funding for reserves in the next MFF.¶¶
- Calls for rebuilding critical infrastructure to withstand future extreme weather and accelerating adaptation measures like flood prevention and natural solutions.¶
Who is affected
- Affected countries in central and eastern Europe: Austria, Czechia, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and also Germany and Hungary later.¶¶
- Emergency services, volunteers, and military personnel in affected countries.¶
- Vulnerable groups including senior citizens, children, those in poor health, economically disadvantaged, homeless, and farmers.¶
- National, regional, and local governments responsible for rebuilding and implementing adaptation measures.¶
Figures and deadlines
- August 2024 was 1.51 °C above pre-industrial level.¶
- Thirteenth month in a 14-month period with average global surface air temperature exceeding 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels.¶
- Nearly 4 in 10 EU citizens report feeling personally exposed to environmental and climate-related risks.¶
- All critical infrastructure should be climate-proof by 2030.¶
- All Member States should implement sustainable water management plans by 2027.¶
Written by a language model from the full text only; every figure comes from the text and ¶ links to the paragraph it rests on. Check the text itself before relying on it.