European citizens’ initiative for a Europe that uses water wisely

The European Commission, under the European Citizens’ Initiative mechanism, has decided to register an initiative for a water-smart and water-scarce resilient Europe. It is intended to contribute to the implementation of innovative solutions to support resource management. For details on the operation of the mechanism for this form of strengthening direct democracy, see a previous article: European citizens’ initiative The establishment of the European Food Safety Authority. environments.

Is a European citizens’ water initiative needed?

Europe is increasingly experiencing the effects of the global water crisis, struggling with periods of drought and with floods that threaten water quality and access to safe-to-eat resources. Some 10 million people in Europe do not have access to potable water, and global supplies are insufficient to meet the needs of all people. Water scarcity particularly affects agriculture, which has the highest demand for water. The current situation underscores the urgent need to make the public aware of the importance of using water wisely. All this makes the complex initiative especially important.

European Citizens’ Initiative for a Water Wise and Water Deficit Resilient Europe – Objectives

The initiative assumes that citizens can propose innovative solutions to more easily address water challenges in all dimensions: national, economic and environmental. The initiative calls for the adoption of a comprehensive, strategic water policy priority that would be integrated into all EU policies. A change at the EU level is crucial to ensure that citizens have equitable access to clean water, as well as to accelerate a real transformation towards a resource-wise society. The main goals of the initiative are:

1. Advocating a strategic and comprehensive action plan for water in Europe, and developing and implementing twin-track, complementary policies in all EU policy areas, as called for in the Blue Deal Declaration;
2. Calling on the European Commission to prioritize water – as a strategic and distinct priority within the EU framework, and to place water deficit resilience at the same level of importance as decarbonization;
3. Significantly reducing the water footprint of all sectors of society and highlighting a paradigm shift at the European level to ensure that individuals, businesses, farmers and ecosystems have access to clean water;
4. Accelerating the transition to closed-loop, water-efficient industry and agriculture; ensuring competitiveness by promoting innovative solutions such as digital tools, resource recovery, hybrid green and gray infrastructure, natural resource-based solutions, and inclusive management tools;
5. Ensuring access to appropriate skills for smart water management, preserving jobs and creating new employment opportunities for workers;
6. Promoting responsibility for the water environment and a sense of connection with it, as well as supporting efforts to restore and protect it;
7. Ensure every individual’s basic right to clean and safe water and sanitation, and restore and protect ecosystems and biodiversity.

In addition, it is crucial that all industries consider water issues, particularly transformation pathways, and come up with customized solutions rather than uniform reductions in water use across the board. Given advances in technology, some sectors could quickly reduce their water footprint, while others may need more time to modify accordingly. Industries with high water consumption need support in introducing more efficient technologies.

European water policy

The EU’s water legislation is – compared to the rest of the world – advanced, and yet many of the previously stated goals are still not being met. Also evident are delays in implementation and the lack of comprehensive consideration of water issues in sectoral policies, which is reflected in decision-making processes, and in numerous, sometimes even key, policy areas water topics do not appear at all.

In May 2024. The European Commission launched an awareness campaign called WaterWiseEU, encouraging European citizens to look at water differently. The goal is to create a deficit-resilient Europe by 2050.

What is the importance of water for hydrogen production?

The hydrogen industry, which is crucial to Europe’s green energy transition, can play a leading role in water management. Producing 1 kg of hydrogen requires about 9 kg of ultrapure water, and meeting Europe’s hydrogen targets involves a need for about 90 million^{m3 of} water per year. Through the use of smart technologies, the industry can make a significant contribution to creating a water-smart and deficit-resilient Europe.