pt.euronews.com
Extreme Weather in 2025 Summer to Cost EU Economy €126 Billion by 2029
A new study led by Sehrish Usman from the University of Mannheim and economists at the European Central Bank (ECB) reveals that extreme weather events in the summer of 2025 will cost the EU economy €126 billion by 2029, impacting a quarter of all EU regions.
- What were the immediate economic impacts of the 2025 extreme weather events in the EU?
- The immediate losses totaled €43 billion in 2025, equivalent to 0.26% of the EU's economic output. This included losses from heat reducing productivity, drought impacting agriculture, and floods damaging infrastructure and disrupting supply chains. These impacts affected a quarter of all EU regions.
- What are the long-term implications of these findings for EU economic policy and what challenges remain?
- The study highlights that the true costs of extreme weather are slow to emerge, affecting livelihoods through various channels. This necessitates timely impact estimations to guide policy support and adaptation strategies. While urgent emission reductions are necessary, increased investment in climate adaptation is also crucial, although the study acknowledges that such measures are costly and require careful economic analysis to ensure effectiveness and social equity.
- Which EU countries experienced the most significant economic damage, and what types of extreme weather events impacted them most?
- Mediterranean countries suffered the most. Italy (€11.9 billion in 2025, rising to €34.2 billion by 2029), France (€10.1 billion initially, rising to €33.9 billion), and Spain (€12.2 billion initially, rising to €34.8 billion) faced substantial losses. Italy experienced the greatest impact, with Spain and France also heavily affected by heatwaves, droughts, and floods. Smaller economies like Malta, Cyprus, and Bulgaria were also disproportionately impacted.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article presents the findings of the study in a straightforward manner, focusing on the economic impact of extreme weather events. The headline doesn't appear to be overly sensationalized or biased towards a particular viewpoint. The introduction clearly states the study's main finding and methodology. The inclusion of quotes from the lead researcher adds credibility and context.
Language Bias
The language used is largely neutral and objective, employing factual reporting and quoting experts. There is no obvious use of loaded language or emotionally charged terms to sway the reader's opinion. Numbers and economic data are presented clearly.
Bias by Omission
While the study acknowledges limitations like not considering compound effects or wildfires, the article could benefit from explicitly mentioning potential biases in the data used or any limitations of the modeling techniques employed. Also, the article could have mentioned the specific methodology used for projecting the costs from 2025 to 2029.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article directly addresses the impacts of climate change, specifically extreme weather events, on the EU economy. The study quantifies the significant economic losses resulting from heatwaves, droughts, and floods, projecting a €126 billion impact by 2029. This demonstrates a substantial negative impact on efforts to achieve SDG 13 (Climate Action), highlighting the severe economic consequences of climate change inaction. The article also mentions the need for increased investment in climate adaptation measures, which is a key element of SDG 13.