At its plenary session on 12 and 13 July, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) adopted six key recommendations - ranging from tackling water poverty and promoting sustainable water distribution networks to encouraging industries to adopt water-efficient technologies and integrating the water dimension into agricultural policies - for a comprehensive water policy in Europe, thus laying the foundations for its ‘Blue Deal’ initiative.
Inspired by the ‘European Green Deal’, it calls for a unified approach to eradicating water poverty and ensuring that all EU citizens have access to safe and affordable drinking water and good sanitation.
At the heart of the EESC’s recommendations is the adoption of a human rights-based approach to water management. The Committee insists that clean water is not a commodity, but a common good that must be accessible to all citizens, industries and sectors of society. This approach aims to overcome the fragmented water policies that currently exist within EU Member States and to establish more coherent and sustainable management.
Resilient infrastructure. To achieve these objectives, the EESC proposes boosting investment in water infrastructure and technology, promoting water-saving practices and introducing water consumption labels. The Committee stresses the importance of developing resilient water infrastructures by carrying out assessments of the current state of infrastructures and water availability in each Member State in order to identify investment needs and promote efficient water management.
For clean water. Water quality is also a key issue for the EESC. The Committee recognises that clean, high-quality water is essential not only for domestic use, but also for agricultural and industrial activities. To ensure water quality, the EESC calls for clear and robust regulatory frameworks to be put in place at European and national level.
In addition, the fight against water pollution from agriculture and industry is presented as essential to preserving resources.
Responsible use. The EESC also attaches great importance to the role of consumers in change. It recommends promoting water-saving technologies and appliances by introducing water consumption labels and circular water consumption practices. Encouraging responsible water use is essential to reduce wastage and improve water conservation efforts.
Enhanced water diplomacy. The EESC also recognises the global importance of water diplomacy and wishes to strengthen it in the EU’s foreign and development policies. The Committee points out that water scarcity and climate change could force around a billion people to migrate by 2050, making water a critical factor for international peace and stability.
A dedicated fund. Finally, one of the EESC’s main proposals is the creation of a ‘Blue Transition Fund’ that would integrate existing funds and the additional investment needed to finance water-related policies and projects. The main pillars of the fund would focus on guaranteeing access to water for all, sustainable water management and support for the EU’s 2050 targets.
The EESC will present its comprehensive set of principles and concrete actions to the EU institutions at the ‘Call for an EU Blue Deal’ conference on 26 October, with the aim of making water one of the Commission’s key priorities, paving the way for a European Union that leads the way in this field.
The six opinions: https://aeur.eu/f/865 (Original version in French by Nithya Paquiry)