Eurofound Talks: Europeans Face Climate Change, Affordability Crisis, Renters Exposed

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22 April 2026 11:12

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Eurofound Talks: Are Europeans prepared for climate change?

Increasing regional disparities, a growing affordability crisis, and a lack of agency for renters are leaving a significant portion of the European population dangerously exposed to climate change, as highlighted in the latest episode of Eurofound Talks.

In the new episode, Mary McCaughey sits down with Aleksandra Kazmierczak from the European Environment Agency (EEA) and Eurofound’s Marianna Baggio to discuss the findings of the joint report, Overheated and underprepared: Europeans’ experience of living with climate change. The discussion explores the gap between EU ambitions for a green transition and the stark reality facing households across the Member States.

The data, drawn from Eurofound’s 2025 Living and Working in the EU e-survey of 27,000 respondents, reveals that while 80% of Europeans have felt the impact of extreme weather, there is a substantial gap between these risks and the ability to cope. This is particularly evident for the most financially vulnerable: 38% of Europeans overall report being unable to afford to keep their homes cool—a figure that rises to two-thirds for those already struggling to make ends meet.

The episode dives deep into the specific challenges faced by tenants. “There is a mismatch in incentives,” notes Marianna Baggio, explaining that renters often lack the agency to install resilience measures like insulation, while owners may lack the financial incentive to invest in properties they do not inhabit. The conversation highlights how this renter's trap is exacerbated by high energy prices and the risk of "renovictions" in a squeezed housing market.

Regional differences also emerge as a key theme. While southern Europe is a hotspot for heatwaves and wildfires, northern and western Europe face their own challenges with flooding and wind. However, the conversation highlights an interesting trend in central and eastern Europe, where respondents report higher levels of individual and local authority preparedness compared to other regions.

The speakers conclude that individual awareness is no longer enough, and that there is a need for collective policy action, including progressive grants that don't require high upfront costs, updated building rules, and urban greening to protect those living in "cement block" city environments.

The podcast is available for streaming on Spotify and YouTube!

More information:

• Report: Overheated and underprepared: Europeans’ experience of living with climate change

• E-survey: Living and Working in the EU

• Webinar: How is climate change affecting people across Europe—and how prepared are we for the future?

• Additional listening: What future for green jobs in Europe?

Topics

• Environment, Energy
• Building, property
• Employment issues
• Social conditions
• European Union issues
• Research
• Economy

Categories

• Anticipating and managing the impact of change

Eurofound is an EU agency, based in Dublin. Eurofound provides information, advice and expertise on working conditions and sustainable work, industrial relations, labour market change and quality and life and public services. For more information about Eurofound and its work, and free access to all our data and findings, visit our website and follow us on these social media channels: X, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Bluesky.

Contacts

James Higgins Press contact Communication Officer jhi@eurofound.europa.eu +353-1-204-3157

Mary McCaughey Press contact Head of Information and Communication Mary.McCaughey@eurofound.europa.eu

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