Today, the European Commission closes its online public consultation on the Zero Pollution Action Plan with a digital stakeholder workshop. Having participated in this consultation, Water Europe is glad to contribute to this discussion with its new position paper on Zero Pollution Action Plan: A First step to a Blue Deal towards a Water-Smart Society.
Water Europe welcomes the Zero Pollution Strategy objectives, particularly considering its holistic approach and the importance to “prevent, remedy, restore, and monitor” the pollution in water. This is an initiative that should break the silo approach between environment-economy-health and pave the way for a Water Deal that considers the value of water.
The European Commission must take the opportunity of the Zero-Pollution Strategy to impose a comprehensive water strategy crossed-cutting all DGs’ portfolios. Water efficiency will be the new frontline for Europe, and this requires bold and courageous decisions, investment, changes and new types of collaborations for stakeholders at all levels of society, involving citizens, public authorities, industries, farmers and NGOs.
In addition to the measures encouraged by Water Europe in its policy-oriented positions on the Water Framework Directive, the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive, and the Industrial Emission Directive, the Zero Pollution Action Plan must contribute to:
1. Mobilising finance for a Water-Smart Europe
2. Tackling the weaknesses of the water-related legislations
3. Fully mastering water efficiency and reused challenges by 2050
4. Accelerating the development of digital water by 2050.
Download the full position paper here. Updates on today’s online workshop will follow next week. For more information, please contact Loic Charpentier.
