In brief | 27 August '26

Euractiv: AfD surges as Saxony-Anhalt’s economy struggles

The far-right party is polling at up to 43 percent ahead of a looming election, as voters rank jobs, wages and the economy among their top concerns.

Phys.org: European city climate plans underuse green spaces despite adaptation benefits, finds study

Green spaces could play a key role in helping cities cope with the effects of climate change, yet they still play only a minor role in climate strategies.

Montel: Europe must adapt energy systems to climate stress – analysts

Extreme summer heat, drought and low river flows are exposing growing risks to Europe’s energy systems, underscoring the need to adapt power generation, grids and storage to climate change.  

Guardian: W​hy are European leaders staying silent after our summer of climate shock?

Lethal temperatures ​and wildfires have exposed a widening gulf between voters demanding ​action and politicians unwilling to confront the long-term choices global heating requires.

Politico: Merz unites EU budget-cutters as Costa gropes for deal

In Berlin, six governments will discuss pushing for a smaller EU budget, while president of the European Council António Costa continues consulting other governments — many of which don’t want reductions.

Ember: The take-off in African solar that official statistics can’t yet see

Africa installs a record 17 GW of solar in 2026 – three-quarters of it is distributed solar, which is largely invisible.