The EU’s outermost regions (ORs) are at the frontline of climate change. Rising seas, water scarcity, extreme weather and biodiversity loss are not future scenarios for these territories : they are daily realities. Despite limited resources, ORs have been forced to innovate, and their solutions are increasingly relevant for the rest of Europe.
Yet, too often, ORs remain invisible in EU datasets, climate models and funding frameworks. This invisibility translates into fewer resources, fragmented support, and missed opportunities for Europe to learn from regions that are already living the climate future.
This is why the publication of the new Policy Brief on Climate Resilience in EU Outermost Regions, prepared under REGILIENCE together with the sister projects ARSINOE and TransformAr, marks an important step forward. Co-written with representatives from the Canary Islands, Guadeloupe, La Réunion and Madeira, it sets up a clear and collective message: Europe cannot overlook its outermost regions if it wants to build resilience for all.
What is at stake
The brief highlights four urgent priorities:
- Moving from fragmented to coordinated approaches in energy, agriculture and water,
- Investing in local knowledge and data,
- Boosting regional cooperation and diversification,
- Ensuring full inclusion in EU policies and funding.
These recommendations respond directly to concrete political concerns:
- The European Climate Risk Assessment (2024) identifies ORs as climate “hot spots” and dedicates a full chapter to their vulnerabilities.
- The 29th Conference of Presidents of the ORs has reiterated the need for systematic impact assessments and full participation in EU programmes.
- The proposal for the next Multiannual Financial Framework (2028–2034) risks leaving ORs without earmarked adaptation funding, despite the EU’s 35% green investment target.
Why this matters
By voicing these issues in a structured way, this Policy Brief is more than a technical document. It is a strong tool to ensure that ORs are no longer left at the margins of EU climate policy. It positions them as living laboratories, whose knowledge and experience are indispensable for Europe to adapt to a changing climate.
Supporting resilience in the ORs is not just about solidarity. It is about foresight: what happens in these territories today will happen tomorrow in continental Europe.
You can find the full Policy Brief here.