From tourism to power generation and productivity, Europe feels economic cost of heatwaves

The Guardian Environment Sunday 16 August 2026, 08:00 UTC By Heather Stewart Economics editor 1 min read

Key Points

Low river levels have stalled German freight traffic and forced closure of nuclear plants in FranceAcross Europe this scorching summer, workers have struggled in the heat as wildfires raged and critical infrastructure was shut down. Here we look at the impact of the heatwaves on several major economies across mainland Europe – with the help of analysis from economists at the Dutch bank Triodos, who estimate a total of €180bn could be wiped off EU GDP by the heatwaves. In the UK, the green...

Low river levels have stalled German freight traffic and forced closure of nuclear plants in France

Across Europe this scorching summer, workers have struggled in the heat as wildfires raged and critical infrastructure was shut down.

Here we look at the impact of the heatwaves on several major economies across mainland Europe – with the help of analysis from economists at the Dutch bank Triodos, who estimate a total of €180bn could be wiped off EU GDP by the heatwaves. In the UK, the green thinktank Verdant said this week that the heat had already cost the economy £4.4bn by the end of July.

Europe (LOCATION) German (ORG) FranceAcross Europe (LOCATION) Dutch (ORG) Triodos (PERSON) EU (ORG) UK (LOCATION)

Originally published by The Guardian Environment Read original →

Belgium counts on air support as record wildfire jumps in size EUPEN, Belgium: Firefighters battling Belgium's largest modern-day wildfire were counting on crucial air support on Sunday (Aug 16) to help tame the blaze in a hard-to-access nature reserve, after it doubled in size over the previous 24 hours. More than 250 firefighters and emergency personnel were mobilised through the night, according to a Sunday morning update from the regional government, which warned conditions in the High...

Channel News Asia 43m ago

US : Hawaii narrowly avoids direct hit as Hurricane Lala brings strong weather

Hawaii has narrowly avoided a historic direct hit from Hurricane Lala, but torrential rain and hurricane-force winds are still causing widespread flooding, mudslides and power outages across the islands. Authorities are urging residents to shelter in place as the storm moves west and dangerous conditions persist.

France 24 1h ago

🔴 Belgium wildfire scorches 3,000 hectares as villagers evacuate, EU sends aircraft

Record Belgium wildfire doubles in size in 24 hours to scorch 3,000 hectares Firefighters in Belgium battled one of the country's worst-ever wildfires late on Saturday as a rapidly growing blaze scorched more than 3,000 hectares of land. The EU scrambled helicopters and water bombers as hundreds of villagers were under evacuation orders. A wildfire raging in a nature reserve in eastern Belgium, the biggest to hit the country in recent history, has more than doubled in size in 24 hours to...

France 24 1h ago