Water scarcity and desertification : background note in view of the Europe 2020 MP survey

Water scarcity and droughts are becoming increasingly relevant for many areas in Europe, and regions and cities are involved in implementing measures to counteract their immediate effects on the economy and population in a sustainable development perspective. With this in mind, and with a view to contributing to the ongoing debate, in 2011 the Committee of the Regions (CoR) will address the subject of 'Water Scarcity and Desertification' by undertaking a survey to collect experiences and good practices, views and suggestions from EU local and regional authorities (LRAs). The aim of this report is to provide background information for the survey and for subsequent CoR activities such as policy conclusions and follow-up. The report considers water scarcity and drought issues in Europe within the broader context of a coherent water management policy, looking at both demand and supply of water. Problems related to water quality and floods are only mentioned where they have direct implications on water scarcity, while land 5 degradation and desertification aspects are briefly discussed as impacts of water scarcity and drought. The report is structured into three main parts: an overview on state and trends in water scarcity and droughts in Europe (Part I); water policy responses (Part II); water management approaches and progress in the implementation of policy measures, with a focus on governance aspects, including the levels of government involved, their roles and possible relationship, and the role of multilevel governance (Part III).