COMMISSION PRESENTS EU CLIMATE RESILIENCE FRAMEWORK
On 27 October 2026, the European Commission presented its EU Framework for Climate Resilience, accompanied by a proposal for a European Climate Resilience Law, aimed at improving the EU’s preparedness for climate-related risks, including extreme weather events such as floods, droughts, and heatwaves. The initiative seeks to integrate climate risk assessments and adaptation measures more systematically into public policymaking, infrastructure planning, and investment decisions.
The proposed Regulation would set up a common framework for assessing climate risks and coordinating adaptation measures across the EU, requiring Member States to identify and assess major climate risks, assign responsible public authorities, and prepare national climate resilience plans by the end of 2030.
The initiative is expected to contribute to the resilience of critical infrastructure and supply chains in view of extreme weather events that increasingly disrupt transport infrastructure across all modes of transport, as well as energy and communications infrastructure. The framework could influence future infrastructure investment priorities, including the climate-proofing of transport corridors or the availability of alternative routes. The Commission also promotes a resilience-by-design approach, under which climate risks would be considered from the outset when planning and upgrading infrastructure.
The Commission has opened a feedback consultation on the proposed European Climate Resilience Law on 04 November 2026, with stakeholders invited to submit feedback until 30 December 2026.
CLECAT welcomes the Commission’s initiative in view of the disruption caused by recurring droughts. National climate risk assessments and resilience plans should explicitly cover inland waterways and ports, including their connections to rail and road. Member States sharing a river basin should assess how prolonged low water affects freight capacity along the entire corridor and coordinate investment and contingency planning across borders.