European Parliament adopts Water Resilience Strategy

The European Parliament adopted the European Water Resilience Strategy on 7 May during a plenary meeting in Strasbourg. The proposal from the ENVI-committee was adopted with 470 votes in favour, 81 against and 92 abstentions. According to its 2025 work programme the European Commission will adopt the Water Resilience Strategy before the summer.

The most important objectives of the report on the Water Resilience Strategy are introducing water efficiency targets, improving climate adaptation and promoting digitalisation and innovation. One of the biggest challenges is providing adequate funding for the implementation of water resilience measures. EU Commissioner Jessika Roswall warned during the debate about the Water Resilience Strategy on May 6 that there is a big funding gap for the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). “We need to mobilise public and private funding. Water resilience is a new priority, and this means more position to direct cohesion money also for water infrastructure and digitalisation. So, I call the Parliament to support the Commission’s proposal for the mid-term review.”

Debate

During a debate about the Water Resilience Strategy on May 6, before the plenary vote, 43 Member of Parliament (MEPs) responded to the proposal. Many MEPs called for bolder action on water resilience. Mireia Borrás Pabón from Patriots for Europe was disappointed that the amendments on hydraulic infrastructure were rejected. “The EU blames climate change but neglects necessary infrastructure like dams and reservoirs. Real solutions are ignored in favour of ideology. Citizens suffer the consequences”, she said. Rapporteur Thomas Bajada replied that dams are needed when they are ‘environmentally sound and properly managed’. “But our fight against floods and droughts is more efficient when combined with nature-based solutions in order to store water, to protect against floods and enhance climate mitigation.”

Addressing PFAS pollution

During the debate many MEP’s expressed their concern about PFAS pollution. Addressing the problems caused by forever chemicals is seen as a critical part of ensuring water safety and environmental health. Roswall said: “Many of you have brought up forever chemicals and PFAS, and I just want to underline that of course I share your concerns. A lot of things are going on, and one thing is that we need to clean up the PFAS that we have in our water now. And we will, of course, continue to work closely with the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) to identify those PFAS substances that are particularly harmful for human health, and also in trying to seek a ban in consumer goods.”

Action is needed now

The European Parliament wants an ambitious strategy for the EU to manage its water resources more efficiently and respond better to current water-related challenges. The report emphasizes that water is not only essential to people’s lives and health, but also central to Europe’s economy, competitiveness, and climate adaptation efforts. But according to Thomas Bajada ‘our water policy still remains scattered, sectoral and unreactive’. On Linkedin Thomas Bajada shared recently: “I addressed Commissioners Kadis and Roswall—responsible for the upcoming European Ocean Pact and Water Resilience Strategy respectively—stressing once again the need for their full commitment in transforming ambitions into concrete results. Our seas don’t need promises, they need action. We need to tackle pollution from source to sea.”