Europe urgently needs to combat the consequences of climate change

21 EU Member States have urged the European Commission to prioritise the battle against droughts and floods to safeguard Europe’s water security in the face of climate change.

The letter, addressed to Climate Action Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra and Green Deal chief Maroš Šefčovič, was endorsed by ministers from 21 of the 27 EU countries. The signatories emphasised the necessity to look at the big picture, and account for the water needs of people, ecosystems, agriculture, energy and industry. It adds that the EU should be “adapting activities to existing water resources, ensuring efficiency in supply and demand, promoting environmental protection … and ensuring that resilience is achieved in a fair and equitable manner.”

The signatories also want the Commission to “ensure availability and security of water supplies through, in particular, the application of nature-based solutions such as the conservation and restoration of wetlands and other freshwater ecosystems.”

Europe is increasingly facing the dual threats of rising temperatures and erratic precipitation patterns, leading to more frequent and severe droughts and floods. These climate-induced phenomena are already wreaking havoc on lives, livelihoods, and ecosystems, and their impacts are projected to intensify. Coastal communities, in particular, face heightened flood risks due to rising sea levels.

This call comes months after the European Commission postponed its water resilience strategy, which was initially expected in March.

We encourage the Commission to heed this call from Member States and publish its Water Resilience Initiative. Europe needs a sound approach to water resilience that encompasses not only the amount of water we have, but the quality of this water too. If we want ‘circular water’, we must keep pollutants away through source control measures. A reliable supply of affordable water will help the EU deliver its promises of a secure future for everyone.