On Monday 27 January, the Committees on Environment and Agriculture met with experts to discuss the issues of water resilience and the establishment of a ‘Blue Deal for Europe’.
The global situation poses challenges, at a time when droughts are multiplying, 10 million Europeans have no direct access to fresh drinking water and, in some countries, up to 60% of water leaks from pipes.
Proposed by the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) in 2023, with the support of the European Parliament, the ‘Blue Deal’ aims to establish cross-cutting solutions to the problems of water quantity and quality. The European Commission was due to have presented its roadmap for a water resilience initiative in spring 2024, but postponed it.
Pietro de Lotto (EESC) reiterated the need for an “autonomous water policy”. The challenge will be to deal with the issue across the board, through “coordination between the portfolios of the various European Commissioners” (Agriculture, Industry, Energy, Finance, Housing, etc.). On the financial side, the EESC has proposed the creation of a ‘Blue Transition Fund’ in the next post-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), for investment in water.
Binding targets. The rapporteur, Thomas Bajada (S&D, Maltese), defended the need for binding targets “by sector” as well as “efficiency targets”. Several MEPs, including Mr Bajada, insisted on changes in methods in the agricultural sector. Others, on the other hand, felt that farmers were also the first victims of drought. The circular economy offers “hope”, said Carmen Crespo-Diaz (EPP, Spanish), given that “we only use 2% of our water”.
The question of priorities has revealed divisions. Would it not be necessary to first find solutions through technology, as well as ways of financing the measures, and then consider regenerating the land? - asked Aurelijus Veryga (ECR, Lithuanian). Kai Tegethoff (Greens/EFA, German), for his part, was more concerned about the Blue Deal’s proposal to “anchor the right of economic activity to consume water”, fearing that this would encourage people to move in the wrong direction.
A dedicated team. Six European Commissioners will be working on a water strategy, said Veronica Manfredi, from DG Environment, at the conclusion of the discussions, which were first held with the Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy, Jessika Roswall. (Original version in French by Florent Servia)