MEP Water Group steps up for prioritising water on EU-agenda
Published on by Esther Rasenberg, Water News Europe in Social
There is still much to be done on water and we need an integral approach”, stated chairman Pernille Weiss of the Water Group of the European Parliament during a webinar organised by Water Europe the 16th of June.
“Our goal is prioritising water on the EU-agenda. Water is a cross cutting subject and policies are made by different departments. That is why the EU pays less attention to it. These is still much to be done on water and we need an integral approach”, stated chairman Pernille Weiss of the Water Group of the European Parliament during a webinar organised by Water Europe the 16th of June.
During the webinar Water Europe’s executive director Durk Krol introduced the MEP Water Group. “Since Pernille Weiss started in September as the new chairman of the Water Group there has been a positive change”, explained Krol. Weiss is determined to play a key role in contributing to the future of the EU water policy.
Ambition
The MEP Water Group now has four members from three different Member States. Ulrike Müller (Renew, Germany), Bernd Lange (S&D, Germany), Vondra Alexandr (ECR, Czech Republic) and Pernille Weiss (EEP, Denmark). Weiss has the ambition to improve the strength of the MEP Water Group. “I would be really happy when the Greens would be included”, said Weiss.
Optimization of water-energy nexus
We want to make sure that Europe’s water resources are managed in a sustainable and equitable way. To do so optimization of the water-energy nexus is key. “Water purification costs a lot of energy – but also has the means to create a lot of energy. If we succeed in optimization, we can export these solutions to the world. Europe has to be a role model. We can create more jobs while taking better care of the environment.”
Sharpen ideas
Although she is relatively new in the water sector the Danish Member of the European Parliament (MEP) is eager to contribute to water solutions. “We want to be at your service and we would like to sharpen ideas together with all stakeholders”, she said to the water professionals attending the webinar. “In a later stage we can put solutions forward and see what we can do in the legislative process.”