Europeans are very concerned about extreme heat and other impacts of climate change like wildfires according to the results of a Europe-wide survey published today. It found that many citizens were also underprepared to deal with the increasing frequency and magnitude of heatwaves, flooding, or water shortages in their own homes.
The results of the survey were analysed 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 offers a Europe-wide overview of the perceived implementation of climate resilience measures — both those reported by survey participants at the household level and their observations of measures implemented by authorities.
This report is based on an online survey conducted by Eurofound last year involving over 27,000 respondents from across 27 European countries. It presents their experiences of climate impacts, concerns about future impacts and resilience measures they took at home and those they are aware of where they live.
The survey findings highlight that ensuring the well-being and prosperity of European society under a rapidly changing climate requires a broad implementation of measures preventing and preparing for climate impacts. This also means it will be necessary to boost household-level readiness to cope with the impacts and to ensure that household-level actions are affordable and are socially fair to make sure no one is left behind.
Climate change has an impact on the lives of four in five EU citizens, but only a quarter of them are equipped with appropriate instruments to cope with it. For policymakers and researchers, these findings, based on 27,000 survey responses across Europe, provide a vital perspective on how climate preparedness differs across communities—and where action is most needed.
Eurofound Executive Director
Majority experience impacts
Four out of five respondents have already experienced at least one climate-related impact (heat, flooding, wildfires, water scarcity, wind, mosquito/tick bites) over the past five years. Added to this, over half of respondents were very or quite concerned about extremely high temperatures in the future and felt very or quite concerned about wildfires.
One in five respondents did not have any of the household measures protecting against extreme weather that were listed in the survey (shading, air conditioning or ventilation, flood proofing, rainwater collection, extreme weather insurance). Over 38% of respondents stated that they could not afford to keep their home adequately cool in the summer.
Regionally, the group with the lowest percentage of respondents reporting both climate impacts and the presence of resilience measures listed in the survey was from northern Europe.
The survey also asked participants whether they were aware of adaptation actions taken by local authorities and it also uncovered that some of the climate impacts reported affected certain groups differently depending on their income. For example, four times as many respondents from households with the lowest financial means had experienced problems with access to safe and clean water.
Background
The survey and joint EEA-Eurofound analysis offers policymakers a valuable snapshot of respondents’ perceptions of the state of the EU’s resilience and ability of its citizens to cope with the changing climate and the impacts this has on their daily lives. The aim is to help target efforts under current and future climate resilience and risk management measures.
The findings reflect numerous studies, including the European Climate Risk Assessment (EUCRA) which point to critical climate risks to people’s health, built environment, infrastructure and ecosystems in Europe. Managing current and future climate risks is recognised in EU policy as essential for maintaining Europe’s prosperity and the quality of life of its residents. The work was done together with partners in the European Climate and Health Observatory.
About the survey
The report draws on data collected through the yearly Eurofound Living and Working in the EU e-survey. In 2025, the survey included a set of questions on climate impacts felt in the past, concerns about the future and resilience actions. The survey is undertaken annually as part of European Climate and Health Observatory (Climate-ADAPT) activities to support European climate adaptation policies with a focus on health and well-being.
