By the EESC Workers' Group

This summer, the debate on 'preparedness' and 'readiness' has once again been brought down to earth by the harsh reality of wildfires. Beyond the obscure jargon of the EU, hard truths about our societies remain and they concern real, pressing issues.

As of 27 August 2025, more than one million hectares have burned across the EU, almost five times as much as in 2024. Extensive droughts, extreme heat and severe weather conditions have made the already deadly toll of every summer even worse, particularly in Southern Europe, including the deaths of workers and volunteers on the frontlines fighting the fires.

Climate change has already shown its effects, and its impacts are becoming self-reinforcing. The 38.68 Mt of CO₂ emitted from the fires so far is equivalent to more than eight million cars' worth of emissions in one year. This shows once again that climate change policies are not optional – the consequences are already here.

The issue, nevertheless, goes beyond climate change: years of austerity and budget cuts, short-sightedness and political bickering have left EU countries ill-prepared to deal with even normal wildfire conditions (let alone the extraordinary challenges that are alarmingly quickly becoming the norm). While the solidarity shown at EU level through resource sharing is very positive, the level of political fragmentation within Member States, the lack of resources and manpower, and constant political infighting have seriously weakened the capacity of emergency services to operate.

As climate change worsens and budget debates intensify – particularly around defence expenditure – it is more important than ever to recognise the need for adequate staffing levels and resources for firefighters and all emergency workers. Over and over, they prove vital in times of crisis (as we saw during the pandemic), yet too often they receive only lip service and are forgotten once the crisis passes.

The EESC has adopted two complementary opinions aimed at building a more resilient and financially empowered Europe. By backing the Commission’s plan for a Savings and Investments Union (SIU) and calling for a major push on financial literacy, the Committee stresses that integrated markets and citizen empowerment must go hand in hand.

One opinion, led by rapporteur Petru Sorin Dandea, supports the Commission’s strategy to mobilise Europe’s untapped wealth, more than EUR 10 trillion in bank deposits, and channel it into investments for businesses, innovation and infrastructure. The EESC calls for stronger supervision, harmonised tax and insolvency rules, and safe, transparent and cost-effective investment products, alongside a reinforced European Securities and Markets Authority.

The second opinion, by rapporteur Giuseppe Guerini, focuses on financial literacy as the missing link for the SIU. With only 18% of Europeans demonstrating a high level of financial literacy, many citizens lack the tools to manage their money, avoid scams and plan for the future. The EESC sees financial education as a social right and calls for it to be taught in schools, supported through adult education, and targeted at vulnerable groups, young people, the elderly and new entrepreneurs.

The Committee warns that without trust and understanding, citizens will not participate in financial markets. With digitalisation fuelling new risks such as online ‘finfluencers’ and AI-driven scams, the EESC calls for a clear regulatory framework and stronger action against fraud. Financial literacy is also key to preparing for ageing societies, ensuring people can navigate pensions, long-term care and savings.

Better financial education, the EESC argues, promotes inclusion by reducing inequality and empowering groups often left behind. To measure success, it recommends Key Performance Indicators such as increased retail investment and reduced costs.

In the EESC’s view, Europe must invest not only in capital, but also in people. Without financial literacy, there is no inclusion, and without inclusion, the SIU cannot succeed. (tk)