Europe to focus on building water-related resilience

​Europe focused on building resilience towards water quality and availability during 2024 EU Green Week for a stronger, more sustainable economy.

The annual conference which ran at the end of May spotlighted the recurrent water-related crises to better understand how to tackle the challenges surrounding it, for both society and the environment, to create a water-resilient continent.

Organised by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Environment, the event brought an opportunity to discuss the European environmental policy and was expected to attract policymakers, leading environmentalists and stakeholders from across Europe and the rest of the world.

What challenges is Europe facing?

Climate change has contributed to the surge in extreme weather conditions across the globe, such as floods and droughts, which has had a huge negative impact on those living in Europe.

Years of pollution, ecosystem degradation and structural mismanagement have also exacerbated the problem not only in the EU but worldwide.

Virginijus Sinkevičius, Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, said: “We need it, we take it for granted – but right now, Europe’s water needs our attention.

“The EU faces challenges with water quality and quantity, and things will only get worse with climate change.

“It’s a limited resource and we keep on increasing our demand. If we don't address these issues today, we’re creating bigger problems for the future.”

“So, Green Week will help start a broad, society-wide conversation about water, making people more aware of the challenges, and of the immense advantages there are in building up our water resilience with concrete solutions.”

The 2024 EU Green Week forms part of a wider water resilience campaign, #WaterWiseEU, aiming to drive an EU-wide conversation around its water, build greater awareness and promote positive, collaborative solutions.

Guest speakers discussed various aspects of integrated water management, including fostering a water smart EU economy, addressing the challenges of restoring and protecting the disrupted water cycle, ensuring widespread access to clean, affordable water and sanitation, and promoting international water cooperation.

The conference will be supported by partner events, organised in Europe and beyond from May 29 to September 1, under the shared header of water resilience.