The European Union executive has called on member countries to help improve water efficiency across the EU by at least 10 percent by 2030, as the bloc prepares for the worsening effects of climate change.
The target — which is not legally binding — is part of the EU’s European Water Resilience Strategy, released Wednesday, which aims to restore a water cycle “deeply affected” by pollution, climate change and environmental degradation.
In a separate recommendation, the European Commission encourages EU countries to “set their own targets for water efficiency, based on their national circumstances.”
It comes as Europe faces multiple water-related problems, including PFAS and nitrate pollution, leaky infrastructure, more severe droughts and higher intensity rainfall.
The Commission will work with EU members to “develop a joint methodology for water efficiency targets” that considers differences between countries, regions and sectors. In a 2027 review of the strategy, the Commission will develop “common benchmarks.”
Asked about the rationale behind the non-binding 10 percent target, EU Environment Commissioner Jessika Roswall told reporters: “For me, it’s obvious that we need to have some targets to go to — but also [to be] very aware that the situation is very, very different in different member states, in different regions.”
She cited a European Environment Agency report, also out today, which lays out the “key sectors” with water-saving potential, including electricity, agriculture and public water supply.
The Commission’s strategy does not signal new laws on water use or water pollutants like PFAS and nitrates. There’s already “a lot of legislation” on the sustainable use of water, argued Roswall, adding: “We need to focus on implementation.”
The European Investment Bank will support the water strategy with over €15 billion in financing from 2025 to 2027, including for “large infrastructures and nature-based solutions.”
The Commission will also set up a “public private” initiative to “achieve a technological breakthrough” to clean up pollution from PFAS and other persistent chemicals.
That’s a change from the previous draft of the strategy, which floated a “support mechanism” for remediating PFAS pollution and other persistent chemicals and a “Public-Private Partnership for their detection and remediation.”
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