EP Plenary session - Council and Commission statements - Towards a more disaster resilient EU - protecting people from extreme heatwaves, floods and forest fires

This video stockshot shows illustration footage of the damage caused by heavy floods that hit Slovenia in August 2023. Heavy rainfall caused widespread damage leading to the collapse of at least 7 main and regional bridges and impacted roads and the energy infrastructure. Thousands of people had to leave their homes, and many were evacuated by helicopters and boats. A large number of EU countries swiftly stepped in to provide critical assistance and equipment to Slovenia via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, showing EU solidarity in times of crisis.

Infoclip: Floods, Slovenia, August 2023

MEPs debate and call for increased action to preserve and improve EU water resources, already affected by several years of dry conditions and diminishing groundwater levels. The impact of the emerging drought is already visible in France, Spain, and northern Italy and raise concerns about water supply for human use, agriculture, and energy production. For several decades, the EU has developed a framwork for preventing and mitigating water scarcity and nox, the Parliament and the Member States are currently working on a revision of several EU water policy measures, following a proposal on integrated water management of surface and groundwater pollutants. Closing statement by Kadri SIMSON, European Commissioner for Energy.

The water crisis in Europe: closing statement by Kadri SIMSON, European Commissioner for Energy

MEPs debate and call for increased action to preserve and improve EU water resources, already affected by several years of dry conditions and diminishing groundwater levels. The impact of the emerging drought is already visible in France, Spain, and northern Italy and raise concerns about water supply for human use, agriculture, and energy production. For several decades, the EU has developed a framwork for preventing and mitigating water scarcity and nox, the Parliament and the Member States are currently working on a revision of several EU water policy measures, following a proposal on integrated water management of surface and groundwater pollutants. Third part of the debate.

The water crisis in Europe: MEPs debate (part 3)

MEPs debate and call for increased action to preserve and improve EU water resources, already affected by several years of dry conditions and diminishing groundwater levels. The impact of the emerging drought is already visible in France, Spain, and northern Italy and raise concerns about water supply for human use, agriculture, and energy production. For several decades, the EU has developed a framwork for preventing and mitigating water scarcity and nox, the Parliament and the Member States are currently working on a revision of several EU water policy measures, following a proposal on integrated water management of surface and groundwater pollutants. Second part of the debate.

The water crisis in Europe: MEPs debate (part 2)

MEPs debate and call for increased action to preserve and improve EU water resources, already affected by several years of dry conditions and diminishing groundwater levels. The impact of the emerging drought is already visible in France, Spain, and northern Italy and raise concerns about water supply for human use, agriculture, and energy production. For several decades, the EU has developed a framwork for preventing and mitigating water scarcity and nox, the Parliament and the Member States are currently working on a revision of several EU water policy measures, following a proposal on integrated water management of surface and groundwater pollutants. First part of the debate.

The water crisis in Europe: MEPs debate (part 1)

MEPs debate and call for increased action to preserve and improve EU water resources, already affected by several years of dry conditions and diminishing groundwater levels. The impact of the emerging drought is already visible in France, Spain, and northern Italy and raise concerns about water supply for human use, agriculture, and energy production. For several decades, the EU has developed a framwork for preventing and mitigating water scarcity, the Parliament and the Member States are currently working on a revision of several EU water policy measures, following a proposal on integrated water management of surface and groundwater pollutants. Opening statement by Kadri SIMSON, European Commissioner for Energy. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

The water crisis in Europe: opening statement by Kadri SIMSON, European Commissioner for Energy

MEPs debate with Commission growing water scarcity and droughts ahead of the summer season. MEPs call for increased action to preserve and improve EU water resources, already affected by several years of dry conditions and diminishing groundwater levels. The impact of the emerging drought is already visible in France, Spain, and northern Italy and raise concerns about water supply for human use, agriculture, and energy production. Extracts from the debate.

The water crisis in Europe: extracts from the debate

Roberta METSOLA, EP President, gives her introductory statement ahead of the plenary session in Brussels: opening remarks and a minute of silence on the recent floods in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Resumption of session and order of business: opening remark by Roberta METSOLA, EP President, on the recent floods in Italy and minute of silence

MEPs debate with the Commission the EU’s emergency and humanitarian response to the catastrophic earthquake. On 6th of February, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake hit near the south-eastern Turkish city of Gaziantep, followed by a magnitude 7.6 aftershock later the same day. International estimates suggest the devastation caused by the earthquake could claim up to 20 000 lives. It has destroyed tens of thousands of buildings, and left hundreds of thousands without a home. Closing statement by Janez LENARČIČ, European Commissioner for Crisis Management.

EU response to the humanitarian situation following the earthquake in Turkey and Syria: closing statement by Janez LENARČIČ, European Commissioner for Crisis Management

MEPs debate with the Commission the EU’s emergency and humanitarian response to the catastrophic earthquake. On 6th of February, a massive magnitude 7.8 earthquake hit near the south-eastern Turkish city of Gaziantep, followed by a magnitude 7.6 aftershock later the same day. International estimates suggest the devastation caused by the earthquake could claim up to 20 000 lives. It has destroyed tens of thousands of buildings in the region, and left hundreds of thousands without a home.

EU response to the humanitarian situation following the earthquake in Turkey and Syria: MEPs debate

MEPs debate with the Commission the EU’s emergency and humanitarian response to the catastrophic earthquake. On 6th of February, a massive magnitude 7.8 earthquake hit near the south-eastern Turkish city of Gaziantep, followed by a magnitude 7.6 aftershock later the same day. International estimates suggest the devastation caused by the earthquake could claim up to 20 000 lives. It has destroyed tens of thousands of buildings in the region, and left hundreds of thousands without a home. Opening statement by Janez LENARČIČ, European Commissioner for Crisis Management.

EU response to the humanitarian situation following the earthquake in Turkey and Syria: opening statement by Janez LENARČIČ, European Commissioner for Crisis Management

MEPs debate with the Commission the EU’s emergency and humanitarian response to the catastrophic earthquake. A massive magnitude 7.8 earthquake hit near the south-eastern Turkish city of Gaziantep, followed by a magnitude 7.6 aftershock later the same day. International estimates suggest the devastation caused by the earthquake could claim up to 20 000 lives. It has destroyed tens of thousands of buildings in the region, and left hundreds of thousands without a home. Extracts from the opening statement by Roberta METSOLA, EP President, minute of silence and announcements by Janez LENARČIČ, European Commissioner for Crisis Management.

EU´s response to the earthquake in Türkiye and Syria: extracts from the debate

Roberta METSOLA, EP President gives her opening statement on the recent earthquake in Türkiye and Syria & Minute of silence before the plenary session in Strasbourg. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Resumption of session and order of business: opening remarks by Roberta METSOLA, EP President on the earthquake in Türkiye and Syria & Minute of silence

EPRS identifies and frames some of the top key issues that might feature prominently in public debate and on the political agenda of the European Union this year. In times of crises and war, what are the challenges we must face and choices we have to make? Restrictions: ©The material may not be edited and must be shown entirely.

EPRS - Climate and socio-economic tipping points

In 2019, the European Parliament declared a climate emergency, calling for immediate and ambitious action to limit effects of climate change. What stage are we at today? In our video, Liselotte Jensen and Henrique Simões dig into the latest developments and expected impacts of climate change, as well as the required actions to fight this global emergency. Restrictions: ©The material may not be edited and must be shown entirely.

EPRS - Climate emergency: what stage are we at ?

The Commission, on 24 February 2021, adopted the new EU strategy on climate change adaptation which aims at enhancing the EU’s and the world’s capacity to adapt to and minimise the impacts of climate change and at the same time further develop and accelerate actions across the economy and society. Restrictions: ©The material may not be edited and must be shown entirely.

EPRS - Climate adaptation: how can we build resilience?

Climate change generates competition over diminishing natural resources, including food and water. It also causes weather-related disasters, which forced over 61 million people across the globe to flee their homes, in 2020 alone. These issues can exacerbate political instability, social tensions and poverty. The countries most vulnerable to climate change are located in fragile regions wracked by conflict. But the situation in Europe is also alarming! Almost one third of Europeans already face water stress in an average year. ©The material may not be edited and must be shown entirely.

EPRS - Peace and security: climate change

During the summer of 2022, parts of Europe experienced drought conditions exacerbated by heat waves. On 9 August, a senior European Commission researcher said it seemed to be Europe's worst year in 500 years, which was confirmed by the Global Drought Observatory. The footage shows dried-out agricultural fields, cracked earth, agricultural irrigation of fields and dried riverbeds and watercourses.

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