Annexes to COM(2008)875 - Follow up Report to the Communication on water scarcity and droughts in the EU COM(2007) 414 final [SEC(2008) 3069] - Main contents
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This page contains a limited version of this dossier in the EU Monitor.
| dossier | COM(2008)875 - Follow up Report to the Communication on water scarcity and droughts in the EU COM(2007) 414 final [SEC(2008) 3069]. |
|---|---|
| document | COM(2008)875  |
| date | December 19, 2008 |
2.6. Development of a water-saving culture in Europe
To develop a water-saving and efficiency culture, the role of civil society will be crucial. A number of initiatives have been launched at European level, such as the development of European water awareness and water stewardship programmes by the European Water Partnership (EWP). This programme aims to involve various stakeholders including NGOs, private companies, regions, municipalities, etc. Actions will include the organisation of regional and local information campaigns, the creation of a European water prize and awareness tools and the development of principles of water stewardship.
The European Commission adopted a Green Paper on agricultural product quality policy in October 2008[26]. The Green Paper provides an opportunity for stakeholders to give their views on whether and how environmental concerns, such as water management, can be further integrated into future certification schemes and to assess the demand for the promotion of water-friendly products.
The Action Plan on SCP/SIP refers to a forthcoming proposal for the revision of the Energy Labelling Directive[27] in order to cover a broader range of products and a range of environmental parameters, including water use.
Most Member States have actively developed actions for communication and education in order to increase public awareness on water quantity issues: information campaigns at national, regional or local level (BE-Fl, CY, DK, ES, FR, NL, UK), school competitions on water efficiency (CY, PT), free advice to the business sector (UK), a website that is updated daily (CY), inclusion of water issues in educational programmes and development of actions at school to promote water saving devices (CY, EL, FR), development of a national strategy to educate consumers on efficient water use (UK), exchange of good practices on irrigation (FR). All these measures need to be continued and extended across the whole of Europe. Their evaluation will make it possible to identify which measures are most effective.
2.7. Improvement of knowledge and data collection
A concrete EU wide initiative is Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES). Within the GMES Land Service, a land cover inventory has been established showing areas under water scarcity pressure as well as their changes over time. Concrete applications for improved irrigation management have already been tested with Spanish and French regional authorities as well as support to WFD reporting in cross- border river basins.
A number of on-going projects related to the 6th Framework Programme for Research and Technological Implementation, such as AQUASTRESS, RECLAIM WATER, GABARDINE, MEDINA, MEDESOL, PLEIADeS or FLOW AID, are delivering scientific and technological progress in the field of water scarcity and droughts. It is expected that the outcome of these projects will be of use as water stress mitigation options. Moreover a set of new initiatives are launched in the context of the 7th FP implementation that are aimed to assess the impact of climate change on water policies, water quantity and water quality. An action focused on investigating Europe's risk from droughts was launched at EU level. This aims to identify the main gaps in research and the key steps forward in order to improve the current knowledge of the extent and impacts of droughts. This will lead to the development of a platform of exchange on drought issues between the research and policy communities. Better knowledge in this area can also be beneficial for a sustainable use of inland waterways for transport.
Member States have responded to the challenge of water scarcity and droughts by launching research and technological activities related to the impacts and evolution of drought in a context of climate change (ES, NL, LU, UK, PT), consumer behaviour towards water using devices (UK), correlation between water and energy efficiency of dish washers and washing machines (UK), improvement of efficiency of water using devices (UK), improvement of agricultural practices including irrigation (CY, ES, FR), assessment of alternative water supply options (CY, FR), development of a data collection system for the evaluation of drought impacts (PT). Most of these activities are still ongoing. Exchange of information at EU level will enable their results to be shared with all Member States.
3. CONCLUSIONS
The Communication of July 2007 on water scarcity and droughts and the European Council conclusions of October 2007 paved the way for the further development of water demand management measures and efforts to fully exhaust the potential for water saving potential before any other alternatives.
This follow-up report shows that, while progress has been made, a great deal still needs to be done in order to improve water demand management more widely across Europe and to avoid mismanagement of water resources, especially in water-scarce areas.
The priorities set in the Communication remain valid. As shown by the many examples contained in this report, continued attention needs to be paid to implementation in all priority areas.
As announced in the 2007 Communication, the Commission will provide from 2009 onwards an annual European assessment on water scarcity and droughts that will make it possible to monitor the evolution of the issue across Europe on a regular basis.
The implementation of the work programme will be monitored and will be part of the review of the strategy for water scarcity and droughts mentioned in the Council Conclusions of 30 October 2007 and planned for 2012.
[1] COM(2007) 414 final of 18.7.2007
[2] In early 2008 a questionnaire was sent to the 27 Member State Water Directors. Replies were received from AT, BE-Fl, CY, DE, DK, EL, ES, FI, FR, HU, IE, IT, LU, LV, NL, PL, PT, RO, SK and UK.
[3] Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and the Council establishing a framework for Community action on water policy, OJ L 327, 22.12.2000.
[4] 13888/07, 15 October 2007, ENV 515, DEVGEN 182, AGRI 325
[5] Council Directive 85/337/EEC of 27 June 1985 on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment, OJ L, 5.7.1985, p.40-48
[6] Directive 2001/42/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 June 2001 on the assessment of the effects of certain plans and programmes on the environment, OJ L 197, 21.7.2001, p.30-37
[7] OECD DAC/EPOC Water Task Team – "Sustainable financing to ensure affordable access to water supply and sanitation"
[8] COM(2007) 722 final of 20.11.2007
[9] COM(2008) 19 final adopted by the Commission on 23 January 2008
[10] COM(2006) 232, 22.09.2006
[11] COM(2008) 30 final/ 23.1.2008
[12] COM(2007) 354 final of 29.6.2007
[13] OL 291, 21.10.2006, p. 11
[14] General Provisions Regulation 1083/2006/EC, Articles 48 & 49, OJL 210, 31.07.2006, p. 25
[15] 'Strengthening the EIB's support to EU policy objectives in the sector' – July 2008
[16] Report available on http://ec.europa.eu/environment/water/quantity/scarcity_en.htm
[17] Council Regulation (EC) 2012/2002 establishing the European Union Solidarity Fund OJ L 311, 14.11.2002.
[18] Council Decision 1999/847/EC of 9 December 1999 establishing a Community action programme in the field of civil protection, OJ L 327/53
[19] COM(2008) 130 final, 5.3.2008
[20] According to Article 4.7 of the WFD when applicable
[21] Study available on http://ec.europa.eu/environment/water/quantity/scarcity_en.htm
[22] COM(2008) 397/3, 16.07.2008
[23] Directive 2005/32/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a framework for the setting of ecodesign requirements for energy-using products, OJ L 101, 22.7.2005.
[24] COM(2008) 402/2
[25] Directive 2002/91/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2002 on the energy performance of buildings, OJ L 1, 4.1.2003.
[26] COM(2008) 641, 15.10.2008.
[27] Council Directive 92/75/EEC of 22 September 1992 on the indication by labelling and standard product information of the consumption of energy and other sources by household appliances, OJ L 297, 13.10.1992.