Investments in climate adaptation should be an integral part of the trans-European transport network, study shows

A completed and climate-resilient trans-European transport network (TEN-T) is a cornerstone for growth, and both socio-economic and territorial cohesion in the EU. According to a recent European Commission study, integrating climate adaptation into TEN-T policies is essential to meet adaptation goals.  

The impacts of climate change are already having tremendous repercussions in Europe. On several occasions in 2024, extreme weather events rendered transportation systems unusable, destroying infrastructure and disrupting supply chains for long periods.

The study warns that all TEN-T transport modes will face significantly more climate extremes by the end of the century, with heatwaves increasing 30-fold and floods, droughts, and wildfires becoming much more common.

To strengthen the resilience of the European transport infrastructure, significant public investment is needed. To allocate these resources effectively, climate risk assessments are necessary to identify the vulnerabilities on the network. Completing the TEN-T will strengthen its climate resilience by offering more flexible and adaptable traffic routes. To facilitate this, the study recommends establishing a tracking system to monitor the progress of TEN-T cross-border projects, including their milestones, costs, and completion status. This would enable the early detection of climate-related challenges, allowing for proactive solutions to be implemented.

Apostolos Tzitzikostas, Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism said: "A complete and climate-resilient TEN-T is vital for fostering growth and cohesion across the EU. As climate extremes intensify, adapting our infrastructure is urgent. If we don't act now, we put at risk our infrastructure, harming our citizens, companies and the economy".

Support study on the climate adaptation and cross-border investment needs to realise the TEN-T network