European Economic and Social Committee, European Parliament and European Committee of Regions representatives urge the Commission not to delay the Water Resilience Initiative

In a joint response to the European Commission's postponement of the Water Resilience Initiative, representatives of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), the MEP Water Group of the European Parliament (EP) and the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) have sent an open letter to Executive Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič, asking the Commission to adopt a comprehensive approach to water and reiterating their call for an EU Blue Deal.

The letter reflects the shared concerns of these institutions regarding the postponement of the Water Resilience Initiative, which they view as a worrying signal regarding the EU's commitment to address Europe's escalating water challenges.

They propose a holistic and collaborative approach that integrates water into all policies to ensure equitable social access, access for farmers, industries and infrastructure, and the social, economic and environmental aspects of water. This shift aims to move beyond existing fragmented approaches, fostering a more comprehensive and effective standalone water strategy.

Pietro De Lotto, President of the Consultative Commission on Industrial Change (CCMI) and coordinator of the EESC's EU Blue Deal initiative, said: We stand by our call for an EU Blue Deal. Europe must act now and adopt water as a standalone, strategic policy in order to safeguard access to clean water for all:  for our citizens, for our farmers, for businesses and for our natural ecosystems. Water must be embedded in all policies in order for our society to become truly water resilient.

Pernille Weiss, Chair of the MEP Water Group, said: Water is the essential and silent enabler for the green transition. It is crucial - yet too often forgotten. On top of this, our water resources are under huge pressure and the challenges we face will not wait. We therefore need to act urgently and holistically to foster a water-smart economy. We call on the European Commission to publish the Water Resilience Initiative without delay and adopt a European Blue Deal for its upcoming term. This will give the much‑needed policy focus that water deserves for a well‑functioning and sustainable society.

André Viola, Member of the European Committee of Regions and rapporteur for the opinion Towards a resilient water management to fight climate crisis within an EU Blue Deal, said: It is alarming news for agriculture, biodiversity, energy infrastructure and drinking water supply in several regions across the EU. Catalonia, Sicily and the Algarve have already imposed limits on water use. Dry vegetation also increases the risk of large wildfires. There is no relief in sight: urgent holistic measures are needed reconciling the needs of users, including local and regional communities. We call on the European Commission not to further delay the European Water Resilience Initiative to fight the water crisis. We need to act now.

This interinstitutional call urges the Commission to continue its work on the Water Resilience Initiative and make water a top EU priority in the upcoming term (2024-2029).

See the full letter here.

The EESC continues to work closely with European organised civil society on this topic, which is of vital importance to European citizens and society as a whole. As part of Civil Society Week 2024, the EESC is organising a workshop on 6 March entitled A Blue Deal through citizenship and stewardship. More details on this event can be found here.