A new European Environment Agency (EEA) report reveals that nearly all European cities are adopting nature-based solutions to increase resilience against climate change. In 91% of the 19,000 climate action plans surveyed, cities are implementing strategies like urban forests, parks, and green roofs to mitigate the impacts of heatwaves and flooding. Despite this progress, the EEA emphasizes the need for combining nature-based strategies with other infrastructure measures and establishing clear targets to ensure continued progress.

Cities like Ghent, Nantes, and Rethymno are leading with ambitious green strategies, while smaller municipalities band together for support. The EEA’s risk assessment underscores the urgency of adaptation, as Europe experiences warming at twice the global average. With urban areas particularly vulnerable to extreme heat and rainfall, the report calls for tangible goals at local and European levels to guide cities toward resilience through networking and citizen engagement. — Euronews