BERLIN/BRUSSELS - The June heat wave that broke a series of temperature records in Europe has focused minds on the urgency of adapting to global warming in a continent once complacent about its relatively gentle climate and its ambitious goals on reducing emissions.The European Union has sought to be a leader in addressing climate change, and was one of the first major economies to set a legally binding target to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. But a June heat wave that peaked at above 40 degrees Celsius in parts of Europe has revealed how its businesses, amenities and ​critical infrastructure are not prepared for the consequences of climate change in the here and now.“We’ve not been good enough on adaptation,” Polish Deputy Climate Minister Krzysztof Bolesta said after power supply across parts of the region was disrupted, outdoor work was banned in places, trains cancelled in Germany and in Sweden a cargo train ​derailed as extreme temperatures buckled metal rails.

Among the countries worst affected, Spain reported 1,000 excess deaths that it linked to the record heat.