Thematic Plenary: Climate-proof and pollution-proof water: how to act for healthy and sufficient water in Europe?

Description

Water management in Europe is becoming a key issue in climate adaptation, as pressure is mounting on both the quantity and quality of available water. The EU already has robust tools in place, but the data show that water resources remain under strain and that significant investment and governance needs persist. The first assessment of climate risks in Europe, published in 2024 by the European Environment Agency (EEA) and the European Commission, reveals that the continent is particularly vulnerable to water shortages, floods, and droughts. About one-third of Europe’s land area and population is exposed to water stress. Floods, droughts, and various sources of pollution are all risks that affect the quality and availability of surface and groundwater.

The figures from recent years are alarming. In 2022, up to 34% of the EU population and 40% of the EU’s territory experienced seasonal water shortages, with the situation being more severe in Southern Europe. The European Parliament also notes that in the summer, up to 70% of the population in Southern Europe may be affected by water stress. These figures show that water is no longer just an environmental issue, but one of security, the economy, and territorial cohesion. Quality also remains a major problem: according to the European assessment cited by the EEA, only 37% of surface waters achieve good ecological status and 29% good chemical status. Pollution from nutrients, pesticides, urban discharges, and habitat degradation continue to severely degrade rivers, lakes, coastlines, and groundwater. This means that adaptation is not just about “having enough water,” but also about having water that is safe and usable.

The principle of “climate resilience by design” calls for the integration of water-related risks into all public policies to adapt key economic sectors and value chains. Energy production and agriculture—the two leading sources of water abstraction in Europe—are particularly vulnerable (European Environment Agency, 2025). Where waterways are crucial for freight transport, as in Germany, reduced river flow during prolonged droughts can cause significant disruptions to strategic supply chains (Meuchelböck, 2025). 

The European Union has launched a reform of its water legislation. The REsourceEU Action Plan, adopted in late 2025, calls for a simplification of the Water Framework Directive (Directive 2000/60/EC) with a view to enhancing circularity and access to critical resources. At the same time, the European Strategy for Water Resilience (COM/2025/280 final) aims to restore and protect the water cycle, improve efficiency, and ensure access to safe and affordable water for all.

How will the new Water Framework Directive reconcile the imperatives of resource protection and climate change adaptation with the objectives of economic security and social justice?

How can we manage the growing tension between water scarcity, non-point source pollution, and extreme weather conditions in densely urbanized and agricultural areas to ensure a sufficient supply of safe water, in line with the European Water Resilience Strategy (June 2025), the revision of the WFD (2026), and the mid-term review of the Zero Pollution Plan (January 2026)? 

Speakers

• Loic CHARPENTIER, Head of Advocacy, Water Europe
• Hein PIEPER, Vice-President of the Board of the EU Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change, President of the Water Authority Rijn & Ijssel (Netherlands)

Moderation : Bruno REBELLE, Freelance consultant at ECOLOGIKA and member of Climate Chance