European Commission mulls “further heatwave preparedness actions”

Brussels – “The Commission is exploring further heatwave preparedness actions to complement Member State efforts,” said the Commissioner for Crisis Management, Hadja Lahbib, in response to a parliamentary question on extreme heat tabled by the Fratelli d’Italia delegation in the European Parliament. She did not go into the details of the announcement, nor did she give any preview of the measures under consideration. Still, Lahbib pointed out that the European Commission is developing a new Integrated Framework for Climate Response and Risk Management in Europe to help Member States prevent and prepare for the growing impacts of climate change. ​

The package is expected to be adopted in the second half of 2026 – so very soon – and “will include a legal
proposal and a Communication, will prioritise heatwave risks,” according to the Commissioner for Crisis Management. What is certain is that “Heat stress is a top-ranked risk,
requiring action,” and the European Commission intends to act.