Heatwaves, droughts, wildfires and floods are increasingly affecting Europe’s society, environment and economy. The summer of 2026 has offered a stark reminder of the vulnerability of water supplies, agriculture, energy systems and other economic activities to extreme weather. As climate change intensifies these risks, strengthening resilience is essential not only to protect people and livelihoods, but also to safeguard Europe’s long-term prosperity, security and competitiveness.
The EU Framework for Climate Resilience sets out a more ambitious approach to anticipating, managing and reducing climate risks. Its implementation will draw on the best available scientific evidence – the knowledge, technologies and practical solutions developed through European research and innovation (R&I), including from the EU Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change.
Research and innovation driving climate resilience
Through Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe, the EU has supported more than 225 projects addressing climate adaptation, with a total EU contribution of ~€1.6 billion. This extensive portfolio generates the scientific knowledge, tools and innovative solutions needed to help public authorities, businesses and communities prepare for and respond to climate risks.
EU-funded R&I contributes to the Framework across several priority areas:
- Understanding Europe’s climate risks. EU-funded projects help improve the assessment of climate hazards and their economic and societal consequences. Projects such as MYRIAD-EU and COACCH have advanced understanding of multi-hazard risks and the economic costs of climate change. Further research will address knowledge gaps including transboundary, compound and cascading risks, as well as climate tipping points, informing European and global climate risk assessments.
- Supporting local and regional action. The EU Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change helps regions and local authorities turn knowledge into concrete action. Through initiatives such as project AdaptationHubs, which established a network of 27 National Adaptation Hubs across Europe, the Mission supports knowledge exchange, policy alignment and cooperation between public authorities, researchers and practitioners.
- Helping European businesses innovate and grow. R&I creates opportunities for European companies developing climate services, early-warning systems, resilient infrastructure, nature-based solutions and risk management tools. The European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator Challenge on Deep Tech for Climate Adaptation supports innovative solutions from start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), while a new dedicated Horizon Europe bridging action aims to bring climate preparedness innovations closer to the market. Together, they invest EUR 70 million in nurturing EU’s leadership in climate resilience market.
- Developing innovative approaches to climate risk financing. Projects such as SOTERIA and PIISA have tested insurance solutions in real-world settings across Europe, examining their effectiveness, inclusiveness, economic viability and potential for wider deployment.
- Making solutions easier to find and use. The Mission Adaptation Solutions Explorer helps users identify innovative climate resilience solutions suited to different climate risks, local contexts and adaptation needs.
Together, these activities help bridge the gap between scientific evidence, policymaking and implementation, supporting a more proactive and coordinated approach to climate resilience across Europe.
The EU Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change: turning knowledge into action
The EU Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change is a key contributor to accelerating the implementation of innovative climate resilience measures on the ground. It currently successfully supports close to 300 regions and local authorities, roughly twice its initial target, in their climate resilience efforts.
Through a portfolio of 76 Horizon projects – representing an EU investment of €690 million to date — the Mission addresses a broad range of adaptation challenges, from food and water security to the resilience of critical infrastructure and health systems. By working closely with more than 600 local and regional actors, it helps translate research findings into practical solutions, strengthen climate resilience governance and facilitate the uptake of innovation.
The knowledge, tools and practical experience generated through the Mission contribute to the EU Framework for Climate Resilience, helping connect European policy objectives with implementation in regions and communities.
Showcasing solutions for a climate-resilient Europe
A new CORDIS Results Pack showcases 14 EU-funded projects delivering concrete, tested and scalable solutions to climate risks. Five of these projects — IMPETUS, MountResilience, RESIST, RISKADAPT and TransformAr — were funded under the EU Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change.
The projects demonstrate how EU R&I can support climate resilience through development of climate services, advanced decision-support tools and approaches that address the governance, standards and financing conditions needed to scale up and deploy solutions. Their results illustrate the potential of EU-funded innovation to protect people, critical infrastructure and supply chains while creating opportunities for European businesses in a growing market for climate resilience solutions.
Explore the CORDIS results pack
By strengthening the evidence base, supporting local and regional action and helping innovative solutions reach the market, EU-funded research and innovation is making a tangible contribution to Europe’s climate preparedness. Investing in climate resilience means investing in the protection of people and prosperity, and in a more resilient and competitive Europe.
More information
EU Framework for Climate Resilience
Factsheet: Building EU’s climate resilience through research & innovation
