1. Addressing the challenge of water scarcity and droughts
SCG meeting, 16 May 2007

2. Water scarcity and droughts - Background
 A worldwide problem – all EU not spared any more
Droughts Increase over the last 30 years
Large impacts on the economy, society
and environment
Water scarcity 12% of EU population and 19% of EU territory affected so far – trends show significant extension
 Need to fully consider impacts of climate change
 Take into account similarities between water and energy issues

3. Consultation process
A Stakeholder Forum was set up in November 2006.
A first meeting took place on 29 January: initial information on the issues and process, invitation to contribute
A second meeting was hold on 26 March: presentation and discussion by the stakeholders of their contributions
The next meeting is planned for 24 May and will aim to discuss the draft set of options foreseen in the Communication

4. Water scarcity and droughts - Challenges
 Progress towards full implementation of the WFD
 Address ineffective water pricing policies
 Improve land use and planning: address inadequate water allocation between economic sectors
 Water saving must become the priority.
 Further integrate water concerns into sectoral policies
 Fill knowledge gaps and ensure data comparability across Europe

5. Draft policy orientations for future action
Putting the right price tag on water
Allocating water more efficiently
Improving drought risk management
Increasing water supply: the very last option
Fostering water performance technologies and practices
Fostering the emergence of water-saving culture in EU
Improving knowledge and data collection

6. Draft policy orientations
Putting the right price tag on water
Allocating water more efficiently
Improving drought risk management
Increasing water supply: the very last option
Fostering water performance technologies and practices
Fostering the emergence of water-saving culture in EU
Improving knowledge and data collection

7.  Combining effective water pricing with metering
Putting the right price tag on water
 Combining effective water pricing with metering
- Water tariffs consistent with article 9 of the WFD
- ‘User pays’ principle whatever the resource is.
- Wide spread compulsory metering of water, a condition to effective water pricing
 Financing water efficiency
- Address water quantity issues with EU funds
- Commission guidelines for water supply: prerequisites
on water management
- Efficient use of EU funds at national level
- Incentives for the promotion of water efficient devices and practices at national level

8. Draft policy orientations
Putting the right price tag on water
Allocating water more efficiently
Improving drought risk management
Increasing water supply: the very last option
Fostering water performance technologies and practices
Fostering the emergence of water-saving culture in EU
Improving knowledge and data collection

9. Economic development can lead to adverse effects on water.
2. Allocating water more efficiently
Economic development can lead to adverse effects on water.
Risk of unsustainable land planning
 In the agricultural sector, consider
 Full decoupling of supports for crops
 Impact of biofuel development on water availability
 Water quantity issues and CAP cross-compliance
 Stringent implementation of SEA Directive
 Appropriate regulations to restore a sustainable water balance in water scarce river basins

10. Draft policy orientations
Putting the right price tag on water
Allocating water more efficiently
Improving drought risk management
Increasing water supply: the very last option
Fostering water performance technologies and practices
Fostering the emergence of water-saving culture in EU
Improving knowledge and data collection

11.  Drought management plans (DMP)
3. Improving drought risk management
 Drought management plans (DMP)
Methodologies for thresholds and mapping, develop recommendations
Set-up DMP according to article 13 of the WFD
 Early warning system on droughts
Develop a prototype and set up implementing modalities for an operational EU drought observatory
 Optimise use of EU Solidarity Fund
 Optimise use of EU Mechanism for Civil Protection

12. Draft policy orientations
Putting the right price tag on water
Allocating water more efficiently
Improving drought risk management
Increasing water supply: the very last option
Fostering water performance technologies and practices
Fostering the emergence of water-saving culture in EU
Improving knowledge and data collection

13. Respect of EU legislation, in particular the WFD
Increasing water supply
The very last option
New water supply can be considered only if water hierarchy to guide policy-making is fully respected.
Respect of EU legislation, in particular the WFD
Ensure all adverse effects are duly taken into account in the environmental impact assessment
Uncertainty on the environmental impact of desalination - Report from the Commission by the end of 2008

14. Draft policy orientations
Putting the right price tag on water
Allocating water more efficiently
Improving drought risk management
Increasing water supply: the very last option
Fostering water performance technologies and practices
Fostering the emergence of water-saving culture in EU
Improving knowledge and data collection

15.  Water-using devices in Eco-Design Directive
Fostering water performance
technologies and practices
Significant potential of water saving in buildings, private and public networks
 Water-using devices in Eco-Design Directive
 Water efficiency criteria in standards for construction products and buildings
 Commission assessment of alternative solutions such as waste water reuse
 Binding performances with fines in case of excessive leakages (national level)
 Voluntary agreements with all economic sectors
 Further options on research, exchange of best practices, etc

16. Draft policy orientations
Putting the right price tag on water
Allocating water more efficiently
Improving drought risk management
Increasing water supply: the very last option
Fostering water performance technologies and practices
Fostering the emergence of water-saving culture in EU
Improving knowledge and data collection

17. Information, education and training: priority areas for action
Fostering the emergence
of water-saving culture in EU
Information, education and training: priority areas for action
Explore at EU level
- launching an Alliance on efficient use of water in line with Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
- rules on water management in quality and certification schemes
- improve labelling rules to provide targeted information on water performance and practices on products and services
Encourage at national level educational programmes, large campaigns of communication

18. Draft policy orientations
Putting the right price tag on water
Allocating water more efficiently
Improving drought risk management
Increasing water supply: the very last option
Fostering water performance technologies and practices
Fostering the emergence of water-saving culture in EU
Improving knowledge and data collection

19. Improving knowledge
and data collection
 A water scarcity and drought information system across Europe with
Standardised data provided on a yearly basis by Member States – need to agree on indicators
Yearly assessment by the Commission
 Research and technological development opportunities
Use and exploitation of research results
Explore further opportunities including networking under the FP7

20. Timetable towards adoption
 Examination of the Impact Assessment of the Communication by an independent Board on 16 May
 Communication of the Board’s opinion on 21 May
 Stakeholder Forum on 24 May
 Inter-service consultation: end of May and early June
 Water Directors Meeting on June
 Translation and launch of oral procedure in June
 Final adoption on 18 July

21. Thank you for your attention