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Brussels – A new report from the European Environment Agency found that Europe must build resilient cities if it is to withstand the effects of climate change. European cities are especially susceptible to heatwaves, flooding, water scarcity and droughts.

In the report Urban adaptation to climate change in Europe 2016 – transforming cities in a changing climate, the European Environment Agency (EEA) outlines the challenges cities face due to climate change and analyses the approach cities can take to adapt to the negative effects of climate change, such as extreme flooding or prolonged heatwaves. It stresses in particular that short-term coping measures alone will not be enough to mitigate the threats, according to an EEA statement on the report.

Cities should instead invest in long-term preventive measures that address the root causes of their vulnerability. For instance, cities require better urban planning with more green areas that can absorb excess rainwater and cool built-up urban centres in the summer. Such solutions would transform cities into more attractive, climate-resilient and sustainable places.

The report also outlines the plans and strategies being developed and implemented by 100 cities across Europe, including Copenhagen, Rotterdam, Barcelona, Bologna and Bratislava.  But as it stresses: more needs to be done as far too many cities are not yet planning for climate change.