Thomas Bajada (S&D, Maltese), who is responsible for drafting Parliament’s own-initiative report on the water resilience strategy, advocates the establishment of “binding sectoral targets for water efficiency and abstraction for agriculture, industry and domestic use adapted to assessments at basin level” (see EUROPE 13570/5).
Invited to debate the issue before the European Parliament’s Environment Committee on Tuesday 18 February, Veronica Manfredi of the European Commission reminded MEPs that binding measures affecting the quantitative management of water resources would require “unanimity in the EU Council”, as provided for in Article 192 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU.
The Commission favours the use of recommendations addressed to the Member States, with a deadline “to be able to measure the progress made in all sectors”, Veronica Manfredi explained, pointing out that measures already exist for industry and adding that agriculture will be at the heart of the European Commission’s future water resilience strategy.
The European Commission welcomed the fact that “the [European Parliament’s] draft report focuses on digitalisation and also covers smart meters”. The two institutions are also in agreement on the need for nature-based solutions and an appropriate response to the water problem in the post-2027 multiannual financial framework. “Ambitious targets require ambitious funding”, said European Parliament rapporteur Thomas Bajada. A dedicated budget line should be set aside for the water issue, he said, in order to “invest in modern infrastructure”.
The European Parliament’s political groups have until Thursday 20 February to table their amendments. They will be trying to influence the European Commission, whose resilience strategy for water is due in the spring. (Original version in French by Florent Servia)