Europe's state of water 2024 : the need for improved water resilience

This report presents the state of Europe's water. It outlines three overarching challenges facing future European water management: 1. protecting and restoring aquatic ecosystems; 2. achieving the zero pollution ambition; 3. adapting to water scarcity, drought and flood risks. Europe's citizens, environment and economy are intrinsically dependent on water, yet the continuing availability of sufficient, good quality water cannot presently be assured. Major pressures challenging Europe's water resilience include pollution, changes to physical features and natural flow of rivers, and abstraction of water. As set out in the European Climate Risk Assessment (EUCRA) (EEA, 2024a), climate change is a further critical pressure expected to compromise Europe's future water security. Urgent action is required to improve resilience and ensure a secure, sustainable supply of freshwater for people and the environment. EU water policy comprises complementary legislation and strategies which address water from different angles, such as the Water Framework Directive and Water Industry Directives, the newly adopted Nature Restoration Law, the biodiversity strategy for 2030 and the zero pollution action plan (EC, 2021c). Ensuring a balance between competing demands for water is a key challenge for Europe.