This paper provides policy-relevant insights into how climate extremes threaten transport infrastructure across Europe. Using a structured multi-hazard framework, it offers a Europe-wide assessment of the exposure of roads, railways, and inland waterways under different warming scenarios, showing that exposure to heatwaves, floods, and wildfires could increase substantially by mid-century. These findings are directly relevant to EU climate adaptation and transport policy, particularly for strategic investment in the TEN-T network. By translating complex climate data into actionable insights for infrastructure planning, the paper has strong potential to inform policymakers and engage the wider public.

This study advances flood risk science by introducing a high-resolution, probabilistic framework that integrates coastal and fluvial dynamics through continuous modelling, moving beyond traditional deterministic “100-year flood” approaches. Quantifying Expected Annual Flooded Area (EAFA) and identifying critical sea-level rise thresholds provides actionable insights for more accurate, climate-informed flood risk assessment and spatial planning in vulnerable coastal regions.

This paper presents a new Pluvial Flood Index (PFI) for assessing and communicating the hazard from pluvial flash floods caused by intense, localised rainfall. As climate change intensifies heavy rainfall and urbanisation increases surface sealing, pluvial flooding is becoming an increasingly important source of damage and disruption. The PFI combines key hydrological and hydraulic factors into a clear, practical and interpretable measure of pluvial flood hazard. It identifies both the extent and location of potential pluvial flood hazard areas, while remaining accessible for communication with non-specialist audiences. The paper shows how the PFI can support operational flash flood forecasting and warning systems across large regions, as well as broader assessments of pluvial flood susceptibility. It can also help authorities prioritise preparedness and mitigation measures where pluvial flood risk is greatest.