Economic damage of €180 billion was caused in Europe during a single summer (2026).

Omissions

• The €180 billion is an estimate of the summer heat's impact on EU GDP (around 1% of GDP), not a confirmed direct physical damage figure, and it comes from a single bank analysis (Triodos), not from official EU statistics.
• Excess death data is provisional and incomplete, covering barely half of Europe; sources report 'at least 35,000' or 'over 30,000' rather than exactly 36,000.
• The figures were published in August 2026, before the session date, so the MEP could have known them.

Sources

• SecondaryTriodos Bank press releaseExtreme heat could reduce EU GDP by around 1% in 2026, equal to approximately €180 billion in economic damage.
• SecondaryEuronewsThe analysis estimates that the damage caused by extreme heat and wildfires will cost a cumulative €180 billion in 2026, which represents around ...
• SecondaryThe GuardianAt least 35,000 more people died during Europe's four record-breaking, back-to-back heatwaves this summer than would normally be expected, according to incomplete figures from barely half the ...
• SecondaryPhys.orgEurope saw at least 30,000 excess deaths across a blistering summer of back-to-back heat waves and drought that scientists have blamed on man-made climate change, according to provisional figures.