Key facts
- European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said the EU must strengthen climate-proofing efforts.
- Metsola expects climate change to be a prominent topic in Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's State of the Union speech.
- Metsola believes the EU's long-term budget, the Multiannual Financial Framework, should be tailored to climate challenges.
- Metsola noted that the EU is not adequately equipped to handle increased heat waves, wildfires, and floods.
- Metsola rejected the idea that economic competitiveness and climate action are in conflict.
European Parliament President Roberta Metsola stated that the recent summer's extreme weather events have underscored the necessity for the European Union to bolster its climate adaptation strategies and align its long-term budget with the challenges posed by a warming world. Metsola anticipates that climate change will be a significant focus in Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's upcoming State of the Union address.
Metsola indicated that the "disastrous summer," marked by heat waves, wildfires, and drying rivers, has created a "sense of urgency" within the EU to prepare for such events. She emphasized that the bloc's preparedness, including the resilience of its infrastructure and the protection of vulnerable populations, needs improvement. She also suggested that the EU's Multiannual Financial Framework, its long-term budget, should be adapted to address these climate-related needs, citing increasing requests from member states for financial aid following climate disasters.