Europe must enhance water resilience through better governance to address increasing droughts and floods caused by climate change, despite long-standing anti-pollution efforts. Effective water governance requires a cross-sectoral approach, collaborative efforts among various stakeholders, diverse funding sources, and continuous monitoring and evaluation. Research and innovative practices identified by the Water Governance synergy group, featuring three Horizon Europe research projects—InnWater, GOVAQUA, and RETOUCH NEXUS—highlight the need for integrated water management policies and scalable solutions to ensure sustainable water use and ecosystem protection.

Water resilience is critical for the core aims of the EU. Water should be a strategic priority in the work of the new European Parliament, the Commission, and the Member States.

Water resilience needs cross-sector regulation, focusing on agriculture, industry, and energy to meet Water Framework Directive goals and adapt to climate change, covering both new and existing activities.

Water resilience relies on collaboration across sectors, integrating governance levels and policy areas. Key factors include actor capacity, knowledge diversity, and digital solutions for data exchange and inclusive participation.

Water resilience is best financed with a diversity of funding sources, consolidating water charges and tariffs that incentivise efficient water use, and leveraging private finance through public-private partnerships or blended finance solutions.

Improving Europe’s water resilience involves monitoring policies, evaluating impacts on water, food, energy, and ecosystems, using agreed indicators and digital platforms for transparent information flow to aid decision-making and accountability, promoting sustainable practices.

Missed our online webinar on “Cutting-edge water governance for water resilience”, which took place on 13 June 2024 as part of the EU Green Week Partner Events? No worries! The recording is available below.