The European Green Party has accused centre-right and far-right leaders, as well as the European People’s Party (EPP) of weakening Europe’s ability to respond to extreme weather events, as record temperatures continue to affect the continent.
“As Europe endures record temperatures, the European People’s Party and the far right are still trying to roll back the Green Deal,” European Green Party co-chair Vula Tsetsi commented. “You cannot claim to care about people’s safety while dismantling the laws that protect them from extreme weather events, such as the Nature Restoration Law, or forest protection regulation.”
European heatwaves
Over the past week, most of Europe has experienced extreme heatwaves, with the European Greens saying that vulnerable populations – such as older people, outdoor workers, low-income households and those living in poorly insulated homes – facing the greatest impact from rising temperatures.
“While citizens bear the cost in the form of worsening health risks, heat-related deaths and climate disasters, the political right continues to prioritise the demands of fossil fuel and corporate lobbies over the public interest,” Tsetsi added. “The science is clear. The consequences are visible. The excuses have run out.”
‘More frequent, more intense’
Elsewhere, fellow co-chair Ciarán Cuffe warned that record June temperatures put lives at risk and threaten to overwhelm health systems.
“These events are becoming more frequent, more intense and longer lasting,” he said. “Their impacts are deeply unequal. Urban areas trap heat, while low-income households often lack access to cooling or live in poorly insulated housing. Cities must provide cooling centres during these periods of extreme heat, and ensure access to those most at risk.”
Cuffe echoed Tsetsi’s comments on the impact of extreme heat on vulnerable communities, calling on cities to expand access to cooling centres during periods of extreme heat, as well as increase efforts to link climate action with social protection.
“Europe must step up its efforts to cut emissions, invest in climate-resilient cities and natural cooling, and better protect those most exposed,” he said. “Climate action is essential to protect people’s health, workers’ livelihoods and the planet’s future.”
Elsewhere, the European Greens have called for an emergency meeting of EU leaders as Europe experiences a widespread heatwave. The party has called on environment ministers meeting in Luxembourg this week to strengthen climate policies and seek to reinforce the Green Deal rather than weaken existing protections. Read more here.
