According to Euronews.green, this is why researchers analyzed the available data in order to determine the strong suits of European countries, but also to reveal which parts of our home-states need to be improved as soon as possible to avoid further damage.

Data shows that, between 2012 and 2021, average temperatures on the continent were nearly 2 degrees Celsius higher compared to pre-industrial times, which means that our needs for cooling and heating changed significantly.

The constant increase in temperatures meant that heating necessities decreased by 11% throughout the continent between 1979 and 2021, in some countries more compared to others.

Portugal, Malta and Ireland are among those countries that reduced heating capacity, as a result of calmer winters.

At the other end of the spectrum, the need for cooling increased dramatically, by three times, scientists say.

As a result, some countries that didn't need cooling capacity 40 years ago, now need air-conditioners more and more.

Due to their positioning, Greece and Spain, among other countries, feel these changes the most and are impacted every year whenever temperatures start to climb.

Home insulation, a key ally in fighting climate change

Home insulation plays its part when it comes to maintaining a reasonable temperature inside and even here there are obvious differences between European states.

Norway, Germany and Sweden are among the countries with the best home insulation, their geographic positioning required this since forever, after all.

On the other hand, France, Belgium and the UK fair among the worst in this category, with their homes losing the most heat during winter.

This obviously has socioeconomic effects, as well, because a less insulated house will mean the need for more artificial heat, which springs energy costs higher.

The increased frequency of climate-related extreme events also bring great economic loses and experts estimate that, on a whole, the old continent lost around 145 billion euros over the last decade and around 487 billion between 1980 and 2020.

Renewables are still the answer to the energy crisis

Of course, the move towards renewable energy that could eventually replace fossil sources will help relieve some of the climatic stress for European countries, but this won't be enough to mitigate the frequency of climate extreme events.

When it comes to renewable power generation, Sweden was the EU member state that had the highest share of green energy, while Norway and Iceland are two non-EU European states that had the highest share of renewable energy on the continent.

On the other hand, Malta, the Netherlands and Belgium are among the countries with the lowest share of renewables in the energy mix.