Heatwaves Surge Across Europe; But Political Will to Tackle Climate Change Melts Away

Chief Reporter, Zuzana Moscakova

As deadly temperatures sweep across Europe, hopes that this summer’s extreme weather might prompt stronger climate policies are fading. Instead, political leaders are retreating from green goals, swayed by public fatigue and rising populism.

Europe is once again experiencing intense summer heat waves. Temperatures have soared above 40°C in parts of Spain, Italy, and France, with Germany and the UK not far behind. Fires have raged across the Mediterranean, heat-related deaths have climbed, and transport systems have buckled under pressure. However, despite the increasingly perilous conditions, the political momentum for climate action is slowing.

This summer’s crisis is part of a worrying trend. Climate scientists warn that extreme heat, worsened by global warming, is becoming more frequent and more intense. In theory, the impact should push governments to act faster and more decisively. In reality, the opposite seems to be happening.

In the UK, support for the government’s net-zero policies has dropped sharply in recent months, falling from 62% to 46%. Across Europe, a similar pattern has emerged: public support for ambitious environmental measures is softening just as the climate crisis intensifies. This “green fatigue” is being exploited by political parties across the spectrum.

Right-wing and populist parties have gained ground by pushing back against environmental rules. In France, Marine Le Pen has criticised renewable energy targets and proposed a national air conditioning scheme instead of more investment in wind or solar. In Italy, some parties have even questioned the science behind climate change. Their message is simple but effective: comfort now, rather than long-term planning.

Even moderate parties are scaling back climate goals. After a wave of farmer protests earlier this year, several EU nations delayed or dropped key environmental regulations. Plans to restore nature and cut emissions in agriculture were among the first to be shelved. Politicians fear that tough green policies could trigger voter backlash, especially during a cost-of-living crisis.

Meanwhile, the EU’s ambitious 2040 climate target, a 90% emissions cut, is facing resistance. Global cooperation is also under strain. Ahead of high-level climate talks, China has pushed back on signing any new climate pledges unless Europe strengthens its commitments. But at home, many European countries are still failing to invest in adaptation. Less than half of EU member states have updated national heat response plans or modernised infrastructure like water systems, transport, and energy grids.

Experts believe that political leaders are focusing too much on short-term concerns. High energy prices, inflation, and migration are dominating the agenda. Climate, once a top priority, has slipped down the list. Activists like Germany’s Luisa Neubauer warn that people are becoming desensitised to extreme weather, believing they can only cope, not change the system.

Some have called for more democratic tools, such as citizen panels or climate assemblies, to reconnect public opinion with long-term planning. Without stronger political leadership, Europe risks missing its climate goals and leaving citizens more vulnerable to extreme weather.

As the heat continues to rise, both literally and politically, the window for meaningful climate action appears to be closing fast.

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