The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) unveiled, on Thursday 26 October, an initiative to tackle water management within the European Union. Known as the ‘Blue Deal’, this ambitious plan, whose key recommendations were adopted last July (see EUROPE 13226/8), aims to establish a comprehensive European strategy to meet the growing challenges of pollution and climate change.
Initiatives include the introduction of water consumption labels for products, the creation of a ‘Blue Transition Fund’ and the establishment of water-related conditionality for EU funding, ensuring that funded projects are aligned with water objectives.
The programme, detailed by EESC President Oliver Röpke in a political declaration, is based on 15 guiding principles and 21 concrete actions, and proposes a European water policy aligned with other EU policies, in the spirit of the European Green Deal, stressing the importance of restoring and protecting ecosystems, wetlands and biodiversity. The plan also places a strong emphasis on human rights, ensuring universal access to sustainable, equitable and affordable water and sanitation services, in line with the European objectives of social rights and the right to a healthy environment.
The strategy calls for sustainable consumption and use of water and a significant reduction in losses due to leakage and wastage, particularly in the agricultural, industrial and household sectors. Agriculture, often at the heart of the water scarcity issue, is seen as both cause and victim, requiring sustainable management to ensure sufficient food production.
The EESC recommends a sectoral industrial approach, adapting water management to the specific needs of each industry, while preserving competitiveness and specialised jobs in Europe. The plan stresses the crucial role of finance in this strategy, calling for a water pricing policy based on the polluter pays principle and guaranteeing universal access to water at affordable prices.
Another key aspect of the initiative is the proposal to appoint a European Commissioner in charge of the water portfolio.
Finally, the ‘Blue Deal’ highlights the importance of international cooperation. The EESC is encouraging the EU to become a world leader in water management, an ambition that will be promoted at COP28 next December, where it plans to advocate stronger international action on water-related issues.
Virginijus Sinkevičius, the European Commissioner for the Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, welcomed the initiative in a press release: “Thanks to the Committee for putting freshwater management and clean water for all where it belongs: in the European spotlight”. In anticipation of the European Commission's Water Resilience Initiative, scheduled for 2024, the EESC is stepping up the pressure for an integrated water strategy.
To read Oliver Röpke’s political declaration: https://aeur.eu/f/9bn (Original version in French by Nithya Paquiry)