The European Commission presented its Framework for Climate Resilience on October 27, aiming to embed climate resilience across all major European Union policy areas, both domestically and internationally. Under the proposed law, the Commission is asking Member States to prepare a single strategic plan consolidating their planning obligations under two existing laws and one existing regulation.

“National planning obligations and instruments are simplified by the introduction of one single national strategic plan. Improved and more regular climate risk assessments will also ensure consistency and comparability between EU and national assessments,” the European Commission said.

According to the Commission, the consolidated plan will make it easier for Member States to understand and compare one another’s plans, “benefitting in particular those Member States who share borders and similar climate risks”.

The framework also pitches practical tools, pilot projects and advisory services to support local and regional authorities to adapt.

It also announces the launch of a European online platform for climate resilience. The platform will feature an interactive map of projected climate hazards across the continent, a list of practical adaptation solutions developed and tested through the EU Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change, and additional references to find relevant climate resilience tools based on location, sector, and the specific risks.

According to the Commission’s communication, climate adaptation measures require an estimated €70 billion in investment annually. However, the return on investment in climate adaptation could exceed ten times the initial outlay through avoided losses and damage. The EU therefore sees significant investment opportunities in the sector.

“The global market for climate adaptation solutions is projected to quadruple in size to €3.5 trillion by 2050, presenting a significant opportunity for European businesses to innovate, prosper and become technology leader for climate resilience solutions,” said the European Commission. 

The European executive body estimates economic losses from climate damages from 2022-2025 stood at approximately €200 billion, or €50 billion per year. 

According to Executive Vice-President Teresa Ribera, between 30,000 and 50,000 premature deaths occurred in Europe this summer as a result of climate change. Climate Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra, meanwhile, said Europe lost approximately 700,000 hectares of land during the summer of 2026.

Hoekstra said the new framework would also ask local institutions to voluntarily identify who is responsible for managing climate risks. He explained that the framework is based on a reference global warming trajectory.

To translate the framework into additional practical actions, the Commission will identify 100 of Europe’s most vulnerable territories, establish a Climate Insurance Alliance and roll out a short-term European Heatwave Plan.

“Within six months of the adoption of the European Climate Resilience Law, the Commission will put forward an Implementation Plan. This plan will identify appropriate support for the Law's objectives and its effective implementation, including at local and regional level. This will be done within the existing budgetary framework and future initiative. The Commission will present a Union strategic plan on climate resilience in 2028 and every five years to ensure early and decisive action at EU level,” said the Commission in a separate document. 

More than 2,400 European municipalities have already mapped their climate risks. Nine in ten identify extreme heat as a threat, while eight in ten identify heavy rainfall and drought as major risks.