EU tells countries to make plans to cope with 3C of global warming

{"text":[[{"start":9.3,"text":"New EU-proposed rules will require countries to make plans to adapt to a 3C rise in global temperatures from pre-industrial levels, as its climate chief warned efforts to cut emissions were “no longer nearly good enough”."}],[{"start":23.54,"text":"The world is on course for a 2.8C rise in the average temperature since the industrial era by 2100 under current international government policies, and this would be the first legal proposal to prepare member states for that eventuality when making policies and investments."}],[{"start":40.76,"text":"It will also require countries to designate the bodies responsible for managing climate risks in different areas of the economy, according to a draft proposal seen by the FT."}],[{"start":51,"text":"“Even if we do everything right today in the domain of mitigation, it will not be enough to get our citizens out of harm’s way,” EU climate commissioner Wopke Hoekstra told the FT. “Last summer simply proved that alone is no longer nearly good enough.”"}],[{"start":66.72,"text":"High temperatures contributed to about 50,000 deaths across the continent in summer this year, far exceeding the previous record of 29,000 heat-related deaths in the summer of 2022."}],[{"start":78.24,"text":"The latest proposal comes as part of a climate resilience framework to ensure Europe adapts to rising temperatures. The continent is warming at about twice the global average, partly as a result of proximity to the melting Arctic."}],[{"start":91.84,"text":"The framework marks a change of focus for the European Commission as the rise in temperatures puts more need to turn to efforts to adapt to the damage caused by climate change as well as lowering emissions."}],[{"start":103.1,"text":"Some climate campaigners argue the focus on adapting to higher temperatures risks diverting resources from action to cut greenhouse gas emissions."}],[{"start":111.66,"text":"The latest policy move comes a few weeks ahead of the COP31 climate summit in Turkey, where Europe is expected to take the lead in pressing other nations to increase climate action despite backsliding on some of its own proposals."}],[{"start":124.54,"text":"The Commission anticipates the EU needs to spend €70bn a year on adaptation until 2050. But the adaptation proposal will not come with any finance — such as a levy on fossil fuel companies being pushed by Spain."}],[{"start":137.96,"text":"Funding for measures that would deal with action to cut emissions will be dependent on ongoing negotiations over the EU’s long-term budget."}],[{"start":145.36,"text":"The proposal will also fall short of calls by Madrid and others to place a legally-binding “duty” for authorities to ensure public investments take climate risks into account."}],[{"start":155.6,"text":"A person familiar with the discussion said the “duty” requirement had been removed during the drafting process over concerns this could trigger legal repercussions."}],[{"start":164.16,"text":"However, Hoekstra insisted a legal proposal to take into account the 3C temperature rise by 2100 and the measures on “risk ownership” would have “teeth” to ensure Europe reacts more quickly to climate change consequences."}],[{"start":178.2,"text":"“Clarity upfront on who should do what, who is responsible, is hugely important,” he said, highlighting the summer heatwaves and recent floods in Valencia. “Europe will see many more floods, many more heatwaves and many more wildfires.”"}],[{"start":null,"text":""}],[{"start":null,"text":""}],[{"start":198.08,"text":""}]],"url":"https://audio.ftcn.net.cn/album/a_1793085172_7128.mp3"}