The resilience of water resources in Europe is at risk due to pollution, overexploitation, and climate change. Without changes in lifestyles and economic development, Europe's water resources and ecosystems will continue to deteriorate, accelerated by the intensifying effects of climate change
The state of water resources in Europe
The resilience of water resources in Europe is at risk due to a combination of factors: pollution, overexploitation, and climate change.
In Europe, lakes, rivers, coastal waters, and groundwater are under intense pressure. It is impossible to achieve the water quality improvement goals set by EU regulations.
The EEA Report
The latest report from the EEA (European Environmental Agency, which monitors environmental conditions in Europe) highlights the causes of the problem: pollution, habitat degradation, the effects of climate change, and excessive exploitation of freshwater resources.
Europe’s State of Water 2024: The Need for Improved Water Resilience concerns over 120,000 surface water bodies and 3.8 million km² of groundwater in the EU and Norway.
It is based on data reported by 19 EU Member States, representing 85% of surface water bodies and 87% of the area of groundwater bodies in the 27 EU Member States.
The report integrates the assessment (which will be conducted by the European Commission) of the third river basin management plan and the second flood risk management plan, which will provide an update on the implementation of the Water Framework Directive and the Floods Directive in the EU.
The Pressure from Agriculture
Throughout the 20th century, Europe underwent profound social and economic transformations that had a significant impact on water resources.
Population growth, rapid industrialization, the intensification of agriculture, energy production, mining, navigation, and urban development have all exerted increasing pressure on rivers, lakes, transitional waters, coastal waters, and groundwater.
Today, climate change has heightened the risk of water stress and severe flooding, exacerbating existing pressures.
More efficient water management strengthens water resilience, ensuring that there is enough high-quality water available.
According to the report, agriculture represents the primary source of pressure on both surface and groundwater.
The causes? High water consumption and pollution from the intensive use of fertilizers and pesticides, not to mention that drought increases water demand.
General Conditions Have Deteriorated
Citizens, the environment, and the economy depend on water, but currently, it is not possible to guarantee the continuous availability of sufficient, good-quality water.
Data provided by EU Member States show that only 37% of surface water bodies have reached an ecological status considered “good” or “high“; only 29% of these bodies of water have a “good” chemical status between 2015 and 2021.
Although some small improvements have been noted in certain cases, the overall state of water resources remains deteriorated.
In 2000, the Water Framework Directive represented an important revision in the management of water resources. However, slow progress and the pressures from human activities, combined with the increasing intensity of the impacts of climate change, will challenge established water management practices across all European regions.
Investing in Resilience
Innovation, adaptation, and transformation will be needed to build water resilience. Unless substantial changes occur in European lifestyles and economic development, water resources and ecosystems in Europe will continue to deteriorate, accelerated by the intensifying effects of climate change.
Droughts and floods have high economic costs, and extreme events are increasing in severity and frequency. In 2023, severe flooding occurred in Italy, Norway, Slovenia, and along the Mediterranean coast, resulting in loss of life.
The climate damage bill for 2021 and 2022 was 44 billion and 40 billion euros, respectively. Without mitigation and adaptation to climate change, it is estimated that direct flood damages will increase sixfold compared to current losses by the end of the century.
Therefore, it makes little sense to argue that investments in resilience are expensive, because the damages cost much more.
