European Parliament steps up for long-term funding for water resilience

A draft report on the European Water Resilience Strategy has been published by the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Committee (ENVI) of the European Parliament on January 29, 2025. This report, prepared by rapporteur Thomas Bajada (S&D, Malta), advocates long-term funding for water resilience in the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) that sets priorities for a period of seven years.

The Committee states in the draft report that the lack of dedicated water funding or binding funding targets within the current MFF limits the EU’s capacity to invest in water resilience measures. The new European Water Resilience Strategy (EWRS) should ensure adequate funding from public and private sources to support resilient water infrastructure, sustainable water management, data collection, research, nature-based solutions and the uptake of water-efficient technologies, as well as to uphold nature restoration and biodiversity. The ENVI Committee regrets that the implementation of the cost recovery principle remains low to non-existent in several Member States. The MEPs call on Member States and their regional authorities to implement adequate water pricing policies and fully apply the cost recovery principle for both environmental and resource costs.

Action in six key areas

The draft report highlights the need for action in six key areas: water efficiency (1), combating water pollution (2), climate adaptation (3), financing and pricing (4), digitalization and innovation (5), and cross-border cooperation (6). The integration of water resilience into all EU policy areas and the importance of accelerating the implementation of EU water policies are a prerequisite. The draft report is currently open for amendments by the ENVI and AGRI committees of the Parliament. A final vote in the plenary session is tentatively scheduled for early May 2025.

Input through the ‘Have your say’ portal

On February 4, 2025, the European Commission launched a call for feedback to collect input from stakeholders for the development of the European Water Resilience Strategy. This call is available on ‘Have Your Say’ portal and will remain open for four weeks until March 4.

High-level stakeholder consultation

The consultation process for high-level stakeholders takes place in Brussels on March 6, during the EU Missions water and oceans events. Commissioner Jessika Roswall will be present to welcome participants and give an opening statement. In an interview with Water News Europe Roswall said the European Commission is going to publish a country-by-country assessment of how well Member States are implementing the EU water legislation. The stakeholder session will address the main aspects of the water resilience agenda, including governance and implementation, industry, research and innovation, and the international dimension. Participating stakeholders will be asked to give their input and engage in active discussions on the spot. During the event innovative solutions will be discussed.  

European Citizen Initiative Water-Smart and Resilient Europe

In September 2024 a European Citizen Initiative was started by citizens from Volonteurope.eu, an international non-profit network comprising over 40 member organizations across more than 20 countries in Europe and beyond.  This ‘ECI for a Water-Smart and Resilient Europe’ initiative includes an action plan for water. It aims to elevate water resilience to the same priority as decarbonisation. Also, it pushes for a shift towards water-efficient industry and agriculture; ensuring the right skills for a water-smart economy and guaranteeing the right to clean and safe water and sanitation.