The new EEA report on ‘Urban adaptation to climate change in Europe 2016 — Transforming cities in a changing climate’ builds on and complements existing products and initiatives on urban adaptation in Europe, among others the case study reports prepared by Trinomics on developing urban case studies on synergies between climate change mitigation and adaptation actions. The EEA report provides an in-depth overview of actions that urban planners and policymakers can take to help lessen the impact of climate change. The report recommends that the best way to meet the socio-economic challenges cities face due to climate change, is to take a wider systemic approach that addresses the root causes of vulnerability. This includes, for example, better urban planning, with more green areas that can retain excess rainwater or cool built-up city cores in the summer, or by preventing the construction of houses in flood-prone areas. This approach can transform cities into much more attractive, climate-resilient and sustainable places.