The European Environment Agency (EEA) has published a series of detailed interactive maps to give an overall impression of the challenge for European cities to adapt to climate change, allowing users to explore data from more than 500 cities across Europe.

Climate change is expected to increase the frequency and intensity of river floods and extreme temperature events in many parts of Europe. If heavy rain caused rivers to rise by one metre, which European cities could be most at risk from flooding? Which cities could provide relief during heat waves with large green areas and which city designs could most exacerbate the effect of heat waves? What are the capacities of different European cities to cope with climate change impacts and to adapt to future changes?

The recently published EEA report 'Urban adaptation to climate change in Europe' provides initial answers to these and similar questions.

Several maps included in the report are now also made available on the interactive Eye on Earth information service. The interactive maps allow users to explore data from more than 500 cities in Europe and get a quick impression of some of the adaptation challenges in Europe’s cities. For example, the map shows aspects of vulnerability to heat waves.

The EEA also hosts Climate-ADAPT in cooperation with the European Commission. Climate-ADAPT is the European Union's most advanced platform for sharing data and information on adaptation to climate change.