On November 14, the European Parliament approved a Motion for Resolution on the UN Climate Change Conference in Baku, Azerbaijan (COP29), here. This Resolution confirms the EP’s commitment to water security, resilience, and sustainability on both a European and global scale. It emphasizes the urgency of restoring water and water-related ecosystems, the need to strengthen circular water management to prevent water scarcity and pollution, and the optimization of resource efficiency. Additionally, the Resolution focuses on integrating digital tools and nature-based solutions as pivotal to achieving a water-resilient society, linking innovation with climate action:
- 64. Highlights the devastating environmental, social, economic, and agricultural impacts of desertification, water pollution, droughts, floods, and forest fires intensified by climate change; emphasizes the importance of protecting, conserving, and restoring water and water-related ecosystems as vital components of climate resilience and biodiversity conservation; affirms the need for water management that prevents water scarcity and pollution, where water and resource loops are largely closed to foster a circular economy and optimize resource efficiency and recovery;
- 65. Welcomes the spotlight placed on water-related challenges by the COP29 presidency, providing a global platform during COP29 for parties to collaborate and deliver solutions on water; welcomes the launch of the first UN system-wide strategy on water and sanitation as a key tool to foster community resilience to climate change;
- 66. Calls for enhanced international cooperation, including at the level of river basins, to address the growing water crisis, ensure clean and high-quality water, promote sustainable water management, and implement nature-based solutions; calls on all parties to adopt water strategies in line with their climate policy to achieve water security, water sustainability, and water resilience, while ensuring a zero-pollution environment and universal access to water and sanitation, prioritizing the protection of vulnerable communities, and ensuring that no one is left behind;
- 67. Welcomes the announcement of a European water resilience strategy and calls on the Commission to swiftly deliver this strategy to ensure resources are properly managed and scarcity is addressed, while also enhancing the competitive, innovative edge of our water industry and technology; urges the EU to lead efforts to protect and restore water ecosystems, in line with the Water Framework Directive, the EU Biodiversity Strategy, and the European Green Deal;
- 68. Acknowledges the universality of water as a resource for all sectors, including those responsible for energy, food security, and critical digital services; recognizes the role of digital tools in all climate-mitigating activities as part of a water-resilient society.
This landmark decision firmly places water at the heart of the climate agenda for COP29 and beyond, promoting international cooperation and ensuring no one is left behind. You can find more details here.
