Water Europe has released its highly anticipated 2024 Water Innovation Europe Policy Report, following the Water Innovation Europe conference held in Brussels from June 17-19. The event brought together over 300 stakeholders from across Europe to discuss the future of water management and the need for a European Water-Smart Strategy to secure and sustain water resources for the coming decades.
The report captures key insights from the conference’s multi-stakeholder discussions, involving experts from research, policy, business, and EU institutions. It emphasizes the need to prioritize water security in the next EU Commission mandate (2024-2029), focusing on innovative solutions and collaborative approaches to strengthen Europe’s resilience against water challenges.
Key Recommendations from the Report:
- Creating a Water-Smart Society: Aligning the Green Deal’s ambitions with enhanced EU competitiveness.
- Raising Awareness: Highlighting water’s socio-economic value and using governance tools like Water-Oriented Living Labs to tackle challenges.
- Sustainable Water Use: Setting water targets, promoting reuse, and deploying hybrid grey-green infrastructure and digital tools for efficiency.
- Securing Proper Funding: Advocating for appropriate pricing and dedicated funding to drive investments and behavioral change.
- Developing a Comprehensive Risk Framework: Establishing risk-based indicators for droughts and a long-term water management plan.
The report calls for immediate action to integrate these strategies into EU policy, recognizing that sustainable water use and management are vital for the functioning of Europe’s agri-food, industrial, and economic systems.
Moving Forward:
With the European Commission’s new mandate for 2024-2029, the report urges decision-makers to seize the momentum to implement a Water Resilience Strategy, ensuring water security for all uses and users across Europe.
To read the full report and learn more about how these recommendations can shape Europe’s water future, click here.
