BLUE DEAL Sectoral opportunities to achieve a Water-Smart Society in Europe

Introduction

Water Europe welcomes European Economic and Social Committee (EESC)’s initiative to raise awareness on water and bring this topic higher on the EU agenda via a call for a EU Blue Deal. A comprehensive strategy is instrument to address water-related challenges and build a water secure, resilient, and sustainable Europe for the next years. As the EESC will adopt a set of opinions, addressing the topic from sectoral perspectives and making proposals.

This policy-related paper from Water Europe aims to contribute to a EU reflection on key policies for achieving a Water-Smart Society. Today, 65 million Europeans live in countries considered critically water insecure or water insecure1 . A so-call EU Blue Deal is more than ever needed and shall implement the outcomes of this year UN Water Conference, the first in 46 years.

This EESC initiative also follows a resolution from the European Parliament calling on the European Commission to present a comprehensive water strategy 2 . It stresses the need for a holistic approach on water-related challenges and opportunities in Europe. A EU Blue Deal must embody a cross-sectoral strategy involving a wide range of European stakeholders. It shall set ambitious targets, in particular protecting biodiversity through an improved water management, involving inclusive governance models, integrating gender equality and citizen education dimensions.

The European Union shall be a frontrunner in terms of water-related solutions. During the last years, the EU institutions have been deploying the Green Deal to create a paradigm shift towards a green, resilient, and digitalised Europe.

UNESCO, The United Nations World Water Development Report 2023: partnerships and cooperation for water (WWDR 2023), UNESCO, Paris, 2023, p.189.

Despite positive developments in the EU legislation, waterrelated risks have been underestimated and managed with a fragmented perspective. Europe must go further! We believe that Europe must not close the Green Deal chapter but open a second one for a Water-Smart Strategy which will put water – the main natural resource of our society, economy, and environment – at the heart of the EU agenda.

This EU Blue Deal shall recognise the value of water to ensure water security, sustainability, and resilience. It will benefit for the different segment of the value chain as well as the whole society. Its internal and external dimension should put water at the heart of the next European Commission strategy. It will also contribute to public health by ensuring high water quality through reduction of pollution, microbiological threats, antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) or other emerging pollutants.

A Water-Smart Society is one in which the value of water is recognised and realised to ensure water security, sustainability, and resilience; all available water sources are managed so that water scarcity and pollution are avoided; water and resource loops are largely closed to foster a circular economy and optimal resource efficiency; the water system is resilient against the impact of climate and demographic change; and all relevant stakeholders are engaged in guaranteeing sustainable water governance.

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Taxonomy

• Water Security