Climate action 'stalled by mixed messaging' as Europe endures unprecedented damage

Europe is experiencing unprecedented climate-related damage, with the continent heating up faster than any other. A report by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts found that at least 95% of Europe had above-average annual temperatures last year, with a near three-week heatwave pushing temperatures near and within the Arctic Circle above 30C. The report also noted that annual sea surface temperatures across Europe were the highest on record, and wildfires burned over 1m hectares, the largest area on record. In May 2025, over half of Europe experienced drought conditions, with around 70% of rivers having below-average flows. Experts warn that mixed messaging about climate change is stalling action, and that a genuinely collective response is needed. The EU needs to restore ecosystems at scale and embed this action within climate legislation and multilateral commitments.