Europe: Climate change impacts scar, renewables offer hope

Climate change is significantly affecting Europe, the fastest warming continent in the world. The State of Europe's Climate 2022 report, a collaboration between the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service, highlights the alarming consequences of climate change in Europe.

Europe experienced extreme heat, drought and wildfires in 2022. The region has been warming twice as fast as the global average since the 1980s. The average temperature in Europe was about 2.3°C above baseline preindustrial.

Several countries had their warmest year on record, including Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Rainfall was below average across much of Europe, exacerbating dry conditions.

Melting of glaciers

Europe's glaciers have been rapidly losing volume, with the Alps being the most affected. From 1997 to 2022, European glaciers lost about 880 km³ of ice, with an average reduction in ice thickness of 34 meters in the Alps. In 2022 alone, the European Alps experienced record mass loss due to low winter snowfall, hot summers, and dust deposition from the Sahara.

Sea surface temperatures in the North Atlantic area reached record levels, triggering severe and extreme marine heat waves. The eastern Mediterranean Sea, the Baltic and Black Seas, and the southern Arctic experienced rates of ocean surface warming more than three times the global average. Marine heat waves triggered species migrations, mass extinctions, arrivals of invasive species, and disruptions to ecosystems and biodiversity.

Renewable energy milestone

Amid climate challenges, there is a sign of hope as renewable energy overtook fossil fuels in electricity generation for the first time in 2022. Wind and solar power accounted for 22.3% of EU electricity, surpassing fossil fuels (20%) and coal power (16%). The increased use of renewable energy is crucial to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and address climate change.

Extreme weather events, such as intense heat waves, heavy rainfall and drought, have significant implications for Europe's energy supply, demand and infrastructure. Climate services and impact data play a critical role in ensuring the resilience of energy systems to climate-related shocks, informing operational planning and promoting energy efficiency.

Nuclear power and climate change

Adverse weather conditions have caused an increase in disruptions to nuclear power operations globally, accounting for a small portion of total nuclear disruptions. Southern Europe, including potential nuclear plant sites, can experience significant increases in extreme temperatures and consecutive dry days, emphasizing the need for adaptation measures to ensure the safety of nuclear facilities.

Climate services, which involve the provision and use of climate information for decision-making, are critical to facilitating the global energy transition to achieve net-zero emissions. These services support site selection, resource assessment, financing, operations and maintenance of power systems, grid integration, and impact assessment.

There is untapped potential for Europe's National Meteorological and Hydrological Services to provide climate predictions specifically for the energy sector, highlighting the need for further development and collaboration.

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