New Report Highlights the Urgent Need for Improved Water Resilience Across Europe

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The European Environment Agency (EEA) has released its latest report, “Europe’s State of Water 2024: The Need for Improved Water Resilience,” shedding light on the growing challenges to Europe’s water security. The report, which draws on data from the 3rd River Basin Management Plans (RBMPs), highlights significant pressures on surface and groundwater bodies across Europe, emphasizing the need for immediate action to strengthen water resilience.

Drawn image of mountains in blue against a yellow background and in the front a river, with the name of the publication at the bottom left and a logo on the top left
EEA report 07/2024

This report was first previewed at the 5th ATG WSD meeting in Madrid and now includes data submissions from member states via the Water Information System for Europe (WISE). By the end of 2024, the European Commission will publish its own Staff Working Document based on these submissions and additional information from the River Basin Management Plans (RBMPs). 

Findings: Europe's Water Faces Significant Pressure
According to the EEA’s findings, Europe’s water resources are facing increasing strain. Some key highlights from the report include:

  • In 2021, only 37% of Europe’s surface water bodies reached "good" ecological status, with many still classified as being in poor or bad condition.
  • Little progress has been made in improving the state of surface and groundwater bodies since 2010, despite ongoing efforts to manage and protect these critical resources.
  • Pollution, over-abstraction, and changes to water bodies' physical structure (hydromorphology) continue to threaten ecosystems and biodiversity across the continent.

Challenges to Water Security
Furthermore, the report stresses the serious challenges threatening water security, not just in the present but also well into the future. Europe’s water bodies are increasingly under pressure from agriculture, urban development, and climate change, all of which exacerbate existing issues such as pollution and over-extraction. The slow pace of improvement since 2010 underlines the need for stronger and more coordinated efforts across all EU member states.

The EEA calls for comprehensive measures to enhance water resilience, including:

  • Improved management practices to reduce pollution and restore water ecosystems.
  • More robust monitoring and data reporting systems to better understand water degradation and support evidence-based policy decisions.
  • Stronger collaboration among member states to ensure sustainable and consistent water management strategies.

Looking Ahead: European Commission Assessment
Later this year, the European Commission will publish a Staff Working Document with its own assessment of the 3rd RBMPs. This in-depth review will provide further insights into Europe’s water challenges and offer recommendations for future actions. The assessment will be based on electronically reported data and any additional information drawn from RBMP texts where electronic reporting was incomplete.

ICPDR’s Role in Promoting Water Resilience
In light of the EEA’s findings, the ICPDR reaffirms its alignment with the path outlined by the Danube River Protection Convention. Our work on water resilience, particularly through initiatives addressing droughts and other climate challenges, reflects our commitment to safeguarding the Danube River Basin. We will continue to collaborate with Contracting Parties to explore effective solutions for improving water security and resilience.
 

For more information on the state of Europe’s water, visit the European Environment Agency's publication here.

 

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