Publication of the European Water Resilience Strategy
The European Water Resilience Strategy is an initiative by the European Commission aimed at strengthening the sustainable management of water resources within the European Union. This strategy primarily seeks to address water scarcity, pollution, and hydrological risks while promoting a circular economy approach and facilitating public and private investments in technologies and infrastructure.
The urgency of this strategy is underscored by recent reports from the European Commission, revealing that the majority of surface water bodies in the EU are polluted. In 2021, only 39.5% were classified as having good ecological status, a decline compared to previous years. This situation highlights the increasing pressure on Europe's water resources, exacerbated by climate change, intensive agriculture, pollution, and urbanization.
The strategy focuses on several key areas, including:
- Water efficiency: Promoting practices and technologies that optimize water use and minimize waste.
- Water pollution: Implementing measures to reduce pollution sources and improve water quality.
- Climate adaptation: Developing strategies to address the impacts of climate change on water resources.
- Financing and pricing models: Ensuring adequate investments and fair pricing models for water management.
- Digital transition and innovation: Encouraging the adoption of digital technologies for improved water management.
- Cross-border cooperation: Strengthening collaboration between EU Member States for integrated water resource management.
More information on the strategy is available here: https://commission.europa.eu/topics/environment/water-resilience-strategy_en