Europeans are highly concerned about extreme heat and climate change impacts like wildfires according to a Europe-wide survey released today. It reveals that many citizens are also underprepared to face the increasing frequency and intensity of heatwaves, flooding, or water shortages at home.
The survey results were analyzed in the report ‘Overheated and underprepared’ published by the European Environment Agency (EEA) and the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions (Eurofound). The report provides a Europe-wide overview of perceived climate resilience measures—those reported by households and observed to be implemented by authorities.
Based on an online survey conducted by Eurofound last year with over 27,000 respondents from 27 European countries, the report presents their experiences with climate impacts, concerns about future impacts, and resilience measures taken at home and observed locally.
The survey findings emphasize that ensuring the well-being and prosperity of European society in the face of a rapidly changing climate requires broad implementation of preventive and preparatory measures. It also requires boosting household readiness to cope with impacts and ensuring actions are affordable and socially fair to leave no one behind.
Climate change affects four in five EU citizens, but only a quarter have appropriate instruments to cope. For policymakers and researchers, these findings offer a crucial perspective on climate preparedness differences across communities and highlight where action is most needed.
Four out of five respondents have experienced at least one climate-related impact (heat, flooding, wildfires, water scarcity, wind, mosquito/tick bites) in the past five years. Moreover, over half of respondents are very or quite concerned about future extreme temperatures and wildfires.
One in five respondents lacks household measures against extreme weather (shading, air conditioning, flood proofing, rainwater collection, extreme weather insurance). Over 38% of respondents said they couldn’t afford to keep their home adequately cool in summer.
Regionally, northern Europe shows the lowest percentage of respondents reporting both climate impacts and resilience measures listed in the survey.
The survey also assessed awareness of local authorities’ adaptation actions and found that some climate impacts varied among groups based on income. For instance, respondents from the lowest-income households were four times more likely to report problems accessing safe, clean water.
The survey and EEA-Eurofound analysis offer policymakers valuable insight into citizens’ perceptions of the EU’s resilience and climate coping ability, aiming to guide current and future climate resilience and risk management measures.
The findings align with studies, including the European Climate Risk Assessment (EUCRA), highlighting critical climate risks to health, infrastructure, and ecosystems in Europe. Managing climate risks is vital for maintaining Europe’s prosperity and residents’ quality of life. This work was done in collaboration with partners in the European Climate and Health Observatory.
The report’s data comes from the annual Eurofound Living and Working in the EU e-survey. In 2025, the survey included questions on past climate impacts, future concerns, and resilience actions. Conducted annually as part of the European Climate and Health Observatory (Climate-ADAPT) activities, the survey supports European climate adaptation policies with a focus on health and well-being.
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