Strengthening water resilience for wellbeing and industry – The role for EU policies and investment

17 October 2024
Policy Dialogue

Speakers: András Edelényi, Member of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC); Dr. Olivier Ejderyan, Group of Lead Society and Innovation, Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL); Niels Ladefoged, Deputy Head, Buildings and Products, DG Energy, European Commission; Veronica Manfredi, Director, Zero Pollution, DG Environment, European Commission; Paul Bourdillon, CEO for Europe and Central Asia, SUEZ

Respondent: Sara Johansson, Senior Policy Officer, European Environmental Bureau (EEB)

Moderator: Danielle Brady, Senior Policy Analyst for the Social Europe and Wellbeing programme, EPC

Life is inconceivable without water. Same is true for our economy; industry, agriculture and energy production run on water. Although plentiful, a useful amount is mostly limited to freshwater which varies in terms of its quality and availability and is facing significant climate and environmental pressures worldwide and in Europe. The cost of droughts in Europe has been around €100 billion over the last couple of decades. In the context of rising geopolitical tensions, ensuring that the EU has access to top quality water for its industrial and energy transformation (e.g. to produce batteries, chips and hydrogen) becomes increasingly important.

This Policy Dialogue looked at the state of play regarding water management, water-related environmental challenges, innovative cases and how EU policies can further contribute to water resilience in Europe. It discussws the Water Resilience Initiative announced by the European Commission in the previous term and considered what could this initiative entail and how could it be achieved.