Ursula von der Leyen Pledges Climate Action After Deadly Summer

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen characterized the recent summer as the summer of truth during her state of the EU address. Extreme climate events across Europe resulted in approximately 35,000 deaths and caused an estimated €180bn in damages. In response, von der Leyen pledged to double down on low-carbon energy and implement a heatwave plan to build resilience.

Member state responses varied, with France and the Netherlands accelerating electrification and fossil fuel transitions, while other nations faced criticism for stalling. Outside Europe, the Donald Trump administration in the United States repealed Environmental Protection Agency rules that cut power plant emissions and expanded coal production. In contrast, India and China accelerated the adoption of electric vehicles and renewable energy, while Australia approved the expansion of a coalmine.

Environmental groups and analysts warned of a disconnect between public demand for climate action and political responses. Greenpeace criticized the European Commission for dismantling environmental action, describing the response to the record heat as meek.