At the ‘Environment’ Council on Thursday 25 June in Luxembourg, devoted in particular to the implementation of the European strategy for resilience in the field of water, several Member States voiced their opposition to a revision of the Water Framework Directive (WFD).
“Several delegations also expressed reservations about reopening the Water Framework Directive, considering that the current framework already offers sufficient flexibility”, Cypriot minister Maria Panayiotou summed up at the end of the debate.
Spanish minister Sara Aagesen Muñoz announced that she had co-signed, with France, Denmark and Hungary, a non-paper taking the view that it was not appropriate to reopen the current legislative framework. According to Spain, the WFD already offers the necessary flexibility to enable strategic projects to be carried out, including in the field of extraction of critical raw materials.
While underlining the importance of strengthening European strategic autonomy in the supply of critical raw materials, French minister Monique Barbut said that the current legislation already made it possible to achieve this objective without amending the directive. “I wish to state France’s opposition to a revision of the WFD in order to introduce new derogations for projects concerning critical raw materials”, she insisted. She called on the Commission to favour other instruments, in particular to ensure that imported raw materials are produced in accordance with environmental standards equivalent to those applied in the Union.
Hungary also said it was concerned by the targeted revision proposal for the WFD and explicitly gave its support to the non-paper backed by France. Denmark, for its part, confirmed its support for the Franco-Spanish document.
German State Secretary Jochen Flasbarth did not take a formal position, but indicated that his country would examine the non-paper with interest, suggesting that it broadly shared its analysis. The Czech Republic also defended the current framework, considering that the WFD already constituted a solid basis for achieving the European objectives of sustainable management of water resources.
No Member State explicitly called for a revision of the WFD during this discussion. Some delegations nevertheless pointed to difficulties linked to the application of the WFD. Belgium indicated that obstacles remained concerning the granting of permits linked to water reuse. France, for its part, called for certain adjustments to the European framework applicable to State aid and the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) in order to facilitate the development of agricultural water infrastructure.
The debate also covered per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Italy highlighted the measures launched to strengthen the fight against water pollution, including that linked to PFAS, as part of its national water efficiency strategy.
Sweden called for European work on a general ban on PFAS to be stepped up, considering that their use should be authorised only where indispensable to society. Denmark also insisted on the need to make progress on this issue, recalling the importance of protecting groundwater, drinking water and aquatic ecosystems, while indicating that it was awaiting the conclusions of the ongoing European procedures on the restrictions applicable to PFAS.
As regards efficiency in water use, ministers “confirmed broad support for the 10% reduction target as well as the principle of water efficiency first, while underlining the need for reliable data, economically viable solutions and sufficient flexibility to take account of national and regional realities”, said the current Chair of this Council, Ms Panayiotou. According to her, critical infrastructure should include water-related infrastructure, notably desalination facilities.
As for digitalisation, a broad consensus emerged on the importance of smart monitoring, satellite data and advanced simulation models, the Cyprus Presidency indicated.
On financing, ministers called for water to be recognised as a strategic pillar in the next EU Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) (2028-2034), in order to facilitate access to European funding. They also highlighted the need to mobilise more private financing and to make use of innovative instruments, notably loans, dedicated mechanisms and nature credits, in order to increase investment while maintaining public control where necessary.
The Commissioner for Environment, Jessika Roswall, underlined that her departments were continuing work on implementing the roadmap on nature credits. She also indicated that preparations for the launch of the European Water Academy were progressing in order to “bridge gaps in the skills and expertise needed for water resilience”.
In addition, the Commission will launch an “investment accelerator for water resilience” in order to support a small number of pilot projects designed to test new approaches for mobilising private investment. The stakeholder platform for water resilience will hold its first meeting in September. Link to the document on France and other countries: https://aeur.eu/f/mkf (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)