EESC warns water is now a matter of economic security for Europe

Ahead of the UN Water Conference 2026, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) held a plenary debate with EU Commissioner for Environment and Water Resilience Jessika Roswall. The EESC calls for water to be treated as a strategic resource for Europe’s economy, security and global role.

The debate comes as water stress increases across Europe, putting pressure on supply chains, infrastructure and industrial production. In response to this, the Committee is calling for a shift in how water is framed in EU policy, from a mainly environmental concern to a strategic resource for competitiveness and resilience.

European Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy Jessika Roswall echoed this broader approach, saying: ‘Water is not only an environmental priority, but also a vital ingredient for our competitiveness, preparedness, resilience and overall security. We need a sustained and cross-sectoral effort to solve our water challenges in Europe with all partners around the table.’

From a broader development perspective, Member of the European Parliament, vice-chair of the Committee on Development (DEVE) and chair of the MEP Water Group Hildegard Bentele, added: ‘Water must be treated as a cross-cutting issue at the heart of sustainable development. It underpins health, food security, energy and economic growth, yet water insecurity is already a major constraint in many regions. We know what needs to be done, but we are still not acting at the pace required.’

At EU level, the EESC has been pushing for this shift for several years through its EU Blue Deal initiative, which seeks to place water at the centre of industrial, economic and climate policy. 

This work was reinforced at the Committee’s June plenary, where it adopted two opinions aimed at strengthening water resilience in Europe and clarifying the EU’s role in global water governance.

EESC President Séamus Boland underlined the urgency of this agenda: ‘The Committee has delivered multiple opinions to help develop a comprehensive EU water policy. Without water, there is no life, no economy and no other policy to defend. This is why we call for a water test in EU legislation and for water to be made a strategic priority in the next multiannual financial framework.’

The competitiveness cost of water

Europe currently invests around EUR 55 billion in water each year but still faces an annual investment gap of about EUR 23 billion. By 2030, up to EUR 255 billion will be needed for water supply and sanitation alone to comply with EU water legislation.

At the same time, investment in water generates strong economic returns. Each euro invested creates an estimated EUR 2.35 in economic output, while every EUR 1 billion invested supports around 16 000 jobs.

The Committee warns that the cost of inaction is already visible in disrupted supply chains, pressure on infrastructure and a growing strain on industrial production. 

In its opinion on the Blue Deal Accelerator – technology, skills and finance for a water-resilient future, the EESC calls for water to be fully integrated into EU industrial policy, including the Circular Economy Act and the Industrial Accelerator Act, and for a mandatory ‘water test’ in EU legislation and funding decisions.

EESC rapporteur Magdalena Rzeczkowska stressed that ‘the European Union must turn ambition into action by mobilising technology, skills and investment for a water-resilient economy.’ To support this shift, the opinion proposes a Blue Deal Accelerator, a European Water Data Space and a European Water Academy to scale innovation, skills and investment.

‘Europe cannot act in isolation,’ opinion co-rapporteur Lea Appulo explained, adding that ‘while the implementation is carried out in Europe, the Blue Deal Accelerator also underlines the importance of international partnerships, including wetlands, to strengthen global water resilience and sustainable development.’

Water as a global governance issue

In its second opinion, EESC Contribution to the UN Water Conference 2026: from the EU Blue Deal and Water Resilience Strategy to global water action, the Committee warns that sustainable water management will not be achieved before 2049 if current trends continue.

It calls for a shift away from linear water use towards circular systems, with water recognised as a public good with social, environmental and economic value. Water resilience must become a global governance priority, cutting across sectors, borders and institutions, with civil society fully involved.

EESC rapporteur Paul Rübig stressed the need for a more integrated approach, with water mainstreamed across all policies and governance levels. He added: ‘We need global efficiency targets to improve water efficiency by at least 10% by 2030 and to scale up water reuse across all sectors, backed by common indicators and stronger monitoring.’

The opinion also calls for stronger protection of critical water infrastructure. Co-rapporteur Hervé Jeannin explained: ‘Access to drinking water is a human right and therefore attacks on water infrastructure need to be condemned by the international community and treated as a war crime.’

Europe prepares for the UN Water Conference

Continuing its work on water, in December 2026, the EESC will join the EU delegation to the UN Water Conference for the first time, marking a new phase in its role in global water governance.

UN Special Rapporteur on the human right to safe drinking water and sanitation Pedro Arrojo-Agudo said: ‘The UN Water Conference should become a more regular process. The UN has been too weak in this area, leaving space for private interests. At a time of growing attacks on multilateralism, Europe must promote the institutionalisation of this conference and ensure a human-rights-based approach to water.’

To support the preparatory process, the EESC will host a dedicated civil society event on 15 September 2026 to gather input ahead of the conference. 

The Committee will continue working with EU institutions and international partners to ensure the EU arrives at the UN Water Conference with a clear, ambitious and practicable agenda.