early warning

Turning climate risk into action: the importance of Early Warning Systems

Extreme weather events such as floods, heatwaves and wildfires are becoming increasingly frequent across Europe, highlighting the need for tools that help regions anticipate and respond to climate risks. Within the Horizon Europe RESIST project, several partner regions are developing and implementing Early Warning Systems (EWS) to strengthen preparedness and support timely decision-making.

These systems combine data, monitoring technologies and forecasting tools to detect climate-related hazards and provide timely alerts to authorities, communities and key stakeholders. By improving the ability to anticipate risks and respond effectively, early warning systems play a crucial role in reducing impacts and enhancing regional resilience.

In Catalonia, for example, project partners are adapting advanced EWS tools, including the Argos decision-support platform, to local needs in municipalities such as Terrassa and Blanes. These systems integrate real-time meteorological and sensor data to support emergency management and improve community preparedness.

These activities are part of RESIST’s broader objective to strengthen regional capacities for climate adaptation. The solutions developed and tested in Catalonia will be further refined and shared with other European regions involved in the project. Through co-creation, mutual learning and the use of digital tools, RESIST supports policymakers, civil protection services and local stakeholders in turning climate risk knowledge into concrete action.

Read more about early warning systems in RESIST on the project website.