European Union Water Resilience Strategy A Step towards a Water-Smart Society

Last week, the European Parliament adopted its recommendations for the forthcoming European Water Resilience Strategy. The full report can be downloaded here.

The vote was overwhelming 470 in favour, 81 against, and 92 abstentions.

The report called for the EU to have stronger action with more coordinated action when addressing the increased water-related challenges. 

The strategy is expected to be presented by the European Commission before summer 2025.

The members of the European Parliament underlined  that water is fundamental not only for health and daily life but also for the economy and its climate adaptation strategies.

The ten key recommendatiosn were:

1. Unlock Water-Smart Economy by creating a Water-Transition Funds in the next MFF to invest in water infrastructure.
2. Strengthen EU Industrial Competitiveness with a Water-Smart Industrial Deal setting a Water-Efficiency first principle, untapping the potential of water reuse, and integrating comprehensive water management strategies into EU industrial policies and sector-specific transition pathways, paired with a thorough enforcement of the EU Taxonomy Regulation.
3. Build a Water-Smart Circular Economy Act: Exploiting the value in water, encouraging reuse of wastewater and water-efficient technologies in water-intensive sectors, fostering water efficient requirement, including with freshwater-intensity labelling while developing innovative business models.
4. Develop a Water-Smart Vision for European Agriculture looking at incentives on quantitative water management such as water reuse, nature-based solutions, water allocation between different sectors, as well as diffuse pollution, exploring water retention policy, and better consideration of water reuse opportunities and nutrient cycle.
5. Leverage Digital Water Opportunities with a EU-wide Action Plan supporting the digitalisation of the water sector, and introduce a Eu-wide water accounting system with an enhanced interoperability of data.
6. Secure Biodiversity and Zero Pollution objectives by ensuring the implementation and enforcement of the zero-pollution legislation and tackling pollution at source and enhancing measures for the better protection of public health and the environment.
7. Support disruptive Research & Innovation activities by developing the next generation of water-smart solutions with the support of a Water-Smart Horizon Europe Programme and the creation of the water-KIC.
8. Anticipate Water-related Climate Risks with ex ante investment and climate mitigation and adaptation plans considering water risks, wildfire, floods and drought management.
9. Strengthen inclusive governance with a permanent interservice group in the EU Commission and encourage the creation of Water-Oriented living Labs, and promote the development of new skills and job profiles within the water sector.
10. Achieve the SDGs Agenda through a water-smart roadmap to clarify the collaboration and financial opportunities, as well as its cooperation with the private sector to ensure access to water and sanitation for all.