The majority of European Union (EU) countries have endorsed a Portuguese initiative calling on the European Commission to make water a priority for the coming years, due to its scarcity in the EU bloc as a whole.
According to a letter from Portugal and 20 other countries, the Minister for the Environment and Energy, Maria da Graça Carvalho, called for water to be a priority during the next legislature and “for this commitment to be materialized through comprehensive actions at EU level, including adequate and effective funding, the promotion of innovation, evidence-based decision-making processes and the strengthening of international cooperation”.
The Portuguese leader, the first signatory of the letter, warned of the “increasing frequency and intensity of droughts, floods and water scarcity across Europe”.
“According to the European Environment Agency, around 20% of Europe’s territory and 30% of its population suffer from water stress every year. The associated economic cost is estimated at 9 billion euros a year, and could reach 65 billion euros by the end of the century, without even accounting for the environmental damage,” she said.
In the letter, made available by the Ministry of Environment and Energy, the minister highlights the increased frequency and intensity of droughts, floods and water scarcity across Europe, stressing that “the losses are felt mainly in agriculture and food systems, in the energy sector and in public supply”.
With regard to floods, “a study published by the European Commission in 2021 estimated the total costs of mitigating flood risks for the period 2016-2021 to be at least 14 billion euros,” it adds.
The document also states the need for greater coordination at European level, covering water in all its dimensions: freshwater and saltwater resources, protection of ecosystems, human consumption, agriculture and food systems, energy and industries.
Maria da Graça Carvalho also highlights the importance of research and innovation in the water sector, in order to “find new solutions to deal with water scarcity, as well as improve existing ones”.
“This document underlines the importance of scientific research and the need to strengthen funding in these areas, through traditional financial instruments, but also through innovative ways that can mobilize private investment,” says the minister quoted in the statement released by the Ministry.
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania and Slovenia are also signatories to this letter.