Outstanding

Water Innovation Europe 2024

Water Innovation Europe 2024

For the first time, the European Environment Agency has recognised water as a cross-sectoral challenge in the first Climate Risk Assessment Report, calling for a comprehensive approach towards Water-Smart management. At the same time, the Letta report emphasises that utilities need investment to ensure water services. Similarly, nearly 70% of companies responding to a CDP survey acknowledged the business risks associated with water challenges. During the previous mandate, the EU advanced with the Green Deal, initiating a paradigm shift towards a green, resilient, and digitalised Europe. Despite positive developments in the EU legislation, water-related risks have been underestimated and managed without a holistic perspective. Europe must go further! As we enter the Commission’s new mandate, there is now momentum to raise water as a highlevel topic.

The Commission Work Programme for 2024 has committed to adopt an initiative on water resilience which is still pending. At the same time, the EU Green Week took place under the banner “Towards a water resilient Europe” as part of the #WaterWiseEU campaign that aims to stimulate an EU-wide conversation around water both today and in the future. Alongside the European Economic and Social Committee, we strongly advocate for an EU Blue Deal. One that opens a second chapter in the European Green Deal paving the way for a WaterSmart Strategy which will put water – the main natural resource of our society, economy, and environment – as a top priority. Water Innovation Europe 2024 took place on 17- 19th June 2024 and was hosted by Water Europe and sponsored by IANIC. This report summarises the multi-stakeholder discussions held during the event regarding the need for a European Water-Smart strategy to secure and sustain water sources in Europe and beyond. The different sessions brought together experts from research, policy, business, and EU institutions to exchange on the challenges and opportunities that need to be embedded in such a strategy for the next EU Commission mandate for

2024-2029. MAIN RECOMMENDATIONS

• Creating a Water-Smart Society in Europe requires a joint effort. Both the ambition of the Green Deal and for increased EU Competitiveness can coexist and even thrive in the new mandate.
• There is a lack of awareness about water’s importance, particularly its socio-economic value. Actions on governance and implementation, such as Water-Oriented Living Labs, are key instruments in addressing quantitative and qualitative water challenges and ensuring full adherence to existing legislation.
•  Proper pricing and dedicated funding are essential to providing the proper drivers for behavioural change and action, as well as for making the necessary investments to secure water for all uses and users. The blue transition will prioritise water, while the entire society and economy must adopt water-smart approaches to achieve water resilience.
•  We need risk-based indicators to assess droughts and a comprehensive risk framework with a clear timeline. All legislation should be water-smart and supported by a comprehensive longterm water management plan.
• Water risks are outpacing mitigation efforts. Sustainable water use should be defined, water targets set, and successful results communicated, shifting the view of wastewater from waste management to resource production in urban, industrial and rural areas.
•  Solutions such as water reuse should be extended, hybrid grey-green infrastructure, digital tools deployed to improve water efficiency and resilience for farmers and other economic sectors.

To read the full report please click on

/uploads/editor/images/Water-Innovation-Europe-2024-Report_FINAL_-1-1.pdf