Sittings · Compare
What changed
MOTION FOR A EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT RESOLUTION
PA_NonLeg
on the European Water Resilience Strategy
AMENDMENTS
(2024/2104(INI))
The Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development submits the following to the Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety, as the committee responsible:
– having regard to the Treaty of the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), in particular Article 191 thereof,
Amendment 1
– having regard to the Agreement adopted at the 21st Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC (COP21) in Paris on 12 December 2015 (the Paris Agreement),
Motion for a resolution
– having regard to the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),
Recital A a (new)
– having regard to Regulation (EU) 2021/1119 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 June 2021 establishing the framework for achieving climate neutrality and amending Regulations (EC) No 401/2009 and (EU) 2018/1999 (European Climate Law),
Motion for resolution
– having regard to Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2000 establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy,
Amendment
– having regard to Directive 2006/118/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 December 2006 on the protection of groundwater against pollution and deterioration,
Aa. whereas water is the basis of ecosystems and therefore fundamental for agricultural production;
– having regard to Directive 2008/105/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2008 on environmental quality standards in the field of water,
Or. en
– having regard to Directive 2007/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2007 on the assessment and management of flood risks,
Amendment 2
– having regard to Directive (EU) 2020/2184 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2020 on the quality of water intended for human consumption,
Motion for a resolution
– having regard to Regulation (EU) 2020/741 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 May 2020 on minimum requirements for water reuse,
Recital A b (new)
– having regard to Directive 2008/56/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive),
Motion for resolution
– having regard to the Directive (EU) 2024/3019 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 November 2024 concerning urban wastewater treatment,
Amendment
– having regard to Directive (EU) 2024/1785 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 April 2024 amending Directive 2010/75/EU on industrial emissions (integrated pollution prevention and control) and Council Directive 1999/31/EC on the landfill of waste,
Ab. whereas Europe’s water is under significant pressure1a resulting in risks related to efficiency, scarcity, pollution and water events, such as flooding and droughts; whereas the EU urgently needs to improve water resilience, which would have a positive impact on the quality of human health, food production and the environment, including agricultural ecosystems;
– having regard to Council Directive 91/676/EEC of 12 December 1991 concerning the protection of waters against pollution caused by nitrates from agricultural sources,
____________
– having regard to Regulation (EU) 2024/1991 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 June 2024 on nature restoration and amending Regulation (EU) 2022/869,
a European Environment Agency, report 07/2024, Europe’s state of water 2024: the need for improved water resilience, 2024.
– having regard to Regulation (EU) 2021/2115 of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing rules on support for strategic plans to be drawn up by Member States under the common agricultural policy (CAP Strategic Plans) and financed by the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund (EAGF) and by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and repealing Regulations (EU) No 1305/2013 and (EU) No 1307/2013,
Or. en
– having regard to Commission Regulation (EU) 2024/3190 of 19 December 2024 on the use of bisphenol A (BPA) and other bisphenols and bisphenol derivatives with harmonised classification for specific hazardous properties in certain materials and articles intended to come into contact with food, amending Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 and repealing Regulation (EU) 2018/213,
Amendment 3
– having regard to the Commission communication of 11 December 2019 on the European Green Deal (COM(2019)0640),
Motion for a resolution
– having regard to the Commission communication of 12 May 2021 entitled ‘Pathway to a Healthy Planet for All – EU Action Plan: ‘Towards Zero Pollution for Air, Water and Soil’’ (COM(2021)0400),
Recital A c (new)
– having regard to the Commission communication of 24 February 2021 entitled ‘Forging a climate-resilient Europe – the new EU Strategy on Adaptation to Climate Change’ (COM(2021)0082),
Motion for resolution
– having regard to the Commission communication of 18 July 2007 on addressing the challenge of water scarcity and droughts in the European Union (COM(2007)0414),
Amendment
– having regard to the Commission communication of 11 March 2020 entitled ‘A new Circular Economy Action Plan: For a cleaner and more competitive Europe’ (COM(2020)0098),
Ac. whereas freshwater change is one of the processes within the planetary boundaries framework that is critical for maintaining the stability and resilience of ecosystems, which agricultural production depends on; whereas the threshold for the planetary boundary for freshwater change has been transgressed along with the thresholds for climate change, biogeochemical flows of nitrogen and phosphorus, land system change, biosphere integrity and novel entities, all of which are part of an integrated system1a;
– having regard to the Commission communication of 14 November 2012 entitled ‘A Blueprint to Safeguard Europe’s Water Resources’ (COM(2012)0673),
____________
– having regard to the EU biodiversity strategy for 2030,
1a Richardson, K., Steffen, W., Lucht, W., Bendsten, J., Cornell, S. et al., ‘Earth beyond six of nine planetary boundaries’, Science Advances, Vol. 9, Issue 37, 2023, https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adh2458.
– having regard to the European Oceans Pact announced by Commission President von der Leyen in her political guidelines for the next European Commission (2024-2029) on 18 July 2024,
Or. en
– having regard to the European climate adaptation plan and the European water resilience strategy announced by Commission President von der Leyen in her political guidelines for the next European Commission (2024-2029) on 18 July 2024,
Amendment 4
– having regard to the EU’s 8th environment action programme,
Motion for a resolution
– having regard to its resolution of 28 November 2019 on the climate and environment emergency,
Recital A d (new)
– having regard to its resolution of 14 November 2024 on the UN climate change conference in Baku, Azerbaijan (COP29),
Motion for resolution
– having regard to its resolution of 17 December 2020 on the implementation of the EU water legislation,
Amendment
– having regard to its resolution of 8 September 2015 on the follow-up to the European Citizens’ Initiative Right2Water,
Ad. whereas the extent of disturbances to the water cycle is exemplified in the recurrent droughts, major floods and severe forest fires that have gradually become prevalent over recent seasons and are hitting rural areas and agricultural production in particular; whereas climate change is projected to further modify the availability of water resources;
– having regard to UN General Assembly Resolution 64/292 of 28 July 2010, which recognises the human right to water and sanitation,
Or. en
– having regard to European Environment Agency report 07/2024 of 15 October 2024 entitled ‘Europe’s state of water 2024: the need for improved water resilience’,
Amendment 5
– having regard to the Environment Council conclusions of 17 June 2024 on the 8th environment action programme,
Motion for a resolution
– having regard to European Court of Auditors special report 20/2021 of 28 September 2021 entitled ‘Sustainable water use in agriculture: CAP funds more likely to promote greater rather than more efficient water use’,
Recital D a (new)
– having regard to the European Economic and Social Committee declaration of 26 October 2023 for an EU Blue Deal,
Motion for resolution
– having regard to its position adopted at first reading on 24 April 2024 with a view to the adoption of Directive (EU) 2024/… of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directive 2000/60/EC establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy, Directive 2006/118/EC on the protection of groundwater against pollution and deterioration and Directive 2008/105/EC on environmental quality standards in the field of water policy,
Amendment
– having regard to Rule 55 of its Rules of Procedure,
Da. whereas, under Directive (EU) 2024/1203 on the protection of the environment through criminal law1a, the abstraction of surface water or groundwater within the meaning of Directive 2000/60/EC constitutes a criminal offence where such conduct is unlawful and intentional, and causes, or is likely to cause, substantial damage to the ecological status or the ecological potential of surface water bodies or to the quantitative status of groundwater bodies;
– having regard to the opinion of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development,
____________
– having regard to the report of the Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety (A10-0000/2025),
1a OJ L, 2024/1203, 30.4.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2024/1203/oj.
A. whereas water is essential for life and humanity; whereas the EU has to manage existing water resources efficiently and respond effectively to the current water challenges, as they directly affect human health, the environment and its ecosystems, energy production, agriculture and food security;
Or. en
B. whereas water stress is already occurring in Europe, affecting 20 % of Europe’s territory and 30 % of the population on average every year, figures that are likely to increase in the future on account of climate change;
Amendment 6
C. whereas the deadline set by the Water Framework Directive (WFD) for European rivers, lakes, transitional, coastal and groundwaters to achieve ‘good’ status was 2015; whereas in 2021, only 37 % of Europe’s surface water bodies achieved ‘good’ or ‘high’ ecological status, while 29 % achieved ‘good’ chemical status;
Motion for a resolution
D. whereas industry accounts for approximately 40 % of total water abstraction in Europe; whereas data on water abstraction and use in the EU is historical and poor;
Recital D b (new)
E. whereas agriculture is the most significant source of pressure on both surface and groundwater, as a result of water use and pollution from the intensive use of nutrients and pesticides; whereas agriculture is the largest net consumer of water in the EU;
Motion for resolution
F. whereas the quality of surface waters across the continent reflects continuing and combined pressures, in particular diffuse pollution and the degradation of their natural flow and physical features; whereas pollution by nutrients and persistent priority substances, as well as by substances newly emerging as pollutants, continues; whereas groundwaters are affected by diffuse pollution, especially from agriculture, and also suffer from intensive abstraction;
Amendment
G. whereas the objective of achieving good chemical status for all EU water bodies by 2027 remains far from being achieved;
Db. whereas farmers and farming are increasingly affected by extreme weather caused by climate change, including drought and floods;
H. whereas groundwater supplies 65 % of water for drinking and 25 % of water for agricultural irrigation in the EU; whereas it is a finite resource that needs to be protected from pollution and over-exploitation;
Or. en
I. whereas the lack of EU-wide quality standards for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in groundwater and insufficient monitoring of less-studied PFAS compounds exacerbate the challenge of achieving good chemical status for EU waters in line with the WFD;
Amendment 7
J. whereas occurrences of prolonged drought, extreme heat and large-scale flooding events will increase throughout the continent, damaging ecosystems and human health, and leading to major disruption to economic activities; whereas preserving water resources and the natural flow of rivers while supplying sufficient water of good quality is becoming a major challenge;
Motion for a resolution
K. whereas nature-based solutions are critical interventions to increase resilience in the water cycle and contribute to broader environmental objectives, including biodiversity protection, carbon sequestration and flood risk mitigation;
Recital E
L. whereas the current multiannual financial framework (MFF) includes an ambitious but non-binding target of dedicating at least 7.5 % of annual EU spending to biodiversity objectives in 2024 and 10 % in both 2026 and 2027;
Motion for resolution
M. whereas pricing policy can improve the efficiency of water use; whereas pricing policies should consider affordability for households and small businesses;
Amendment
N. whereas digitalisation and innovation can effectively assist Member States, regional bodies and the Commission in collecting data on and monitoring water management;
E. whereas agriculture is the most significant source of pressure on both surface and groundwater, as a result of water use and pollution from the intensive use of nutrients and pesticides; whereas agriculture is the largest net consumer of water in the EU23;
O. whereas 60 % of European river basin districts are transnational, which makes effective transboundary cooperation crucial;
____________
General remarks
23 European Environment Agency, report 07/2024, Europe’s state of water 2024. The need for improved water resilience, 2024.
1. Welcomes and strongly supports President von der Leyen’s announcement in the Political Guidelines for the Next Commission 2024-2029 on putting forward a European Water Resilience Strategy (EWRS);
E. whereas agriculture is the most significant source of pressure on both surface and groundwater, as a result of inefficient water use and pollution from the intensive use of nutrients and pesticides; whereas agriculture is the largest net consumer of water in the EU23, responsible for 59 % of EU water consumption; whereas changes in farming practices together with the application of nature-based solutions can stimulate adaptation, enhance water retention and maintain agricultural productivity;
2. Calls for a full implementation of EU Green Deal legislation in order to build a resilient Europe, mitigate climate change, halt biodiversity loss and limit resource use, including water;
____________
3. Reiterates the EU 2030 target to restore freshwater ecosystems, including the restoration and re-establishment of areas, the restoration of habitats of species and the non-deterioration of the areas after restoration, as well as the EU’s objective to restore at least 25 000 km of free-flowing rivers by 2030;
23 European Environment Agency, report 07/2024, Europe’s state of water 2024. The need for improved water resilience, 2024.
4. Emphasises that the right to clean and safe water and sanitation must be unequivocally ensured, with every EU citizen having access to affordable and good quality water services;
Or. en
5. Urges the Commission to integrate the water dimension into all EU policies in order to ensure that water sustainability is woven into the fabric of European policies; emphasises that assessing how each EU policy can impact water resources in terms of quantity, quality and accessibility would ensure that water resilience is a cornerstone of policy formulation and implementation, thus shifting the paradigm from treating water as an infinite resource to recognising its intrinsic value for humanity and the EU’s ecological and socio-economic landscape;
Amendment 8
Water efficiency
Motion for a resolution
6. Calls for a transformative reduction in water demand, as well as an increase in water availability in water-stressed areas for all sectors at the local and regional level;
Recital E a (new)
7. Calls for a legislative framework setting binding sectoral water efficiency and water abstraction targets at basin level, based on up-to-date assessments of climate risks and covering all water uses, including industry, agriculture and households; stresses the importance of efficient data collection practices across Member States and all sectors, including through the use of innovative technologies;
Motion for resolution
8. Calls for the transition to a sustainable farming model, assisted by the implementation of innovative technological solutions than can help ensure continued productivity while enabling agriculture to reduce pollution and adapt to lower water use;
Amendment
9. Calls on the Commission and Member States to adopt supportive policies, at both the EU and the local level, that incentivise water reuse practices through economic regulation, environmental protection requirements or a combination of both;
Ea. whereas soil biodiversity and soil organic carbon affect water retention capacity; whereas soil erosion, compaction and certain soil management practices that cause soil degradation lead to a steady decrease in the water retention capacity of soil, which as a consequence exacerbates drought and flood events with direct negative impacts on farming; whereas healthy soil is therefore one of the drivers of water resilience;
Water pollution
Or. en
10. Underlines the fact that the existing EU water policy framework is well designed to address the effective management of water resources and the protection and restoration of freshwater and marine ecosystems, but is poorly implemented, underfunded and barely enforced;
Amendment 9
11. Calls on the Commission and Member States to accelerate the implementation and enforcement of the current legislation, in particular the WFD and its ‘daughter’ directives (the Groundwater Directive and the Environmental Quality Standards Directive), the Marine Strategy Framework Directive and the EU Nature Restoration Law;
Motion for a resolution
Recital E b (new)
Motion for resolution
Amendment
Eb. whereas the soil moisture deficit is one of the most adverse factors of plant growth and productivity threatening sustainable crop production; whereas in the second water management cycle, droughts were only considered as a relevant feature for water management in about half of the Member States; whereas the area affected by the soil moisture deficit during the growing season in the EU increased between 2000 and 2019; whereas the soil moisture deficit also worsened in the Fennoscandian region1a and has also been observed in winter in recent years, which could lead to meteorological and agricultural drought in the spring and summer that follow1b;
____________
1a EEA, 2019, 'Soil moisture dashboard', European Environment Agency, https://www.eea.europa.eu/data-and-maps/data/data-viewers/soil-moisture.
1b Kaliská, I., 2025: Začína pôdne sucho. Od novembra chýbajú zrážky. Poľnoinfo, 20 January, https://polnoinfo.sk/zacina-podne-sucho-od-novembra-chybaju-zrazky/?fbclid=IwY2xjawH7HzlleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHctUw0yI-jBp6iFTUkagrZo75lCfEZ-MZYgdvjRd1BkgrwT6GwerxIv9eQ_aem_GEf82DgSqqYp_8bWDlOnQA.
Or. en
Amendment 10
Motion for a resolution
Recital E c (new)
Motion for resolution
Amendment
Ec. whereas agricultural drought incorporates the balance between soil moisture content, crop type, crop stage, and crop production practice; whereas the condition of agricultural drought of a high water intensive crop in a certain management system could mean suitable conditions for low water intensity crop production activities;
Or. en
Amendment 11
Motion for a resolution
Recital E d (new)
Motion for resolution
Amendment
Ed. whereas satisfying higher freshwater demand with finite freshwater resources remains a policy and feasibility dilemma; whereas one of the most common solutions to freshwater demands in agriculture is the application of higher irrigation efficiency; whereas this is beneficial to irrigators and saves water for reallocation to other sectors, including to the environment; whereas substantial scientific evidence has shown that increased irrigation efficiency rarely delivers increased water availability at river basin level1a;
____________
1a Grafton, R.Q., Williams, J., Perry, C.J., Molle, F., Ringler, C. et al., ‘The paradox of irrigation efficiency’, Science, Vol. 361, Issue 6404, 2018, https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aat9314.
Or. en
Amendment 12
Motion for a resolution
Recital E e (new)
Motion for resolution
Amendment
Ee. whereas, due to drought conditions, the continuation of traditional production of high value cash crops may require urgent changes in agricultural practices, including by implementing nature-based solutions; whereas agroforestry could be one such solution1a;
____________
1a Niková, K., Pivovarníci čelia hrozbe. Na záchránu hlavnej suroviny na výrobu piva vysádzajú stromy, SME, 4 December 2020, https://mytopolcany.sme.sk/c/23419798/pivovarnici-celia-hrozbe-na-zachranu-hlavnej-suroviny-na-vyrobu-piva-sadia-stromy.html.
Or. en
Amendment 13
Motion for a resolution
Recital E f (new)
Motion for resolution
Amendment
Ef. whereas pasture-based animal production is also negatively affected by drought; whereas the drought and heat conditions of recent years have shown that agroforestry also has benefits for animal production;
Or. en
Amendment 14
Motion for a resolution
Recital E g (new)
Motion for resolution
Amendment
Eg. whereas the ecological flow is directly impacted by the agricultural model established;
Or. en
Amendment 15
Motion for a resolution
Recital I a (new)
Motion for resolution
Amendment
Ia. whereas plant protection products, including PFAS pesticides, are a source of increasing pollution for water basins, further deteriorating drinking water and agricultural land, as well as putting pressure on agricultural productivity and human health; whereas the cost of treating PFAS pollution in drinking water alone is estimated at EUR 18 billion a year; whereas recent independent measurement analyses have detected PFAS, including more soluble short-chain PFAS, exceeding the theoretical quality threshold1a;
____________
1a Aubert, R., Foucart, S., Horel, S., Mandard, S., ‘PFAS: France’s drinking water is massively contaminated by ‘forever chemicals,’ including in Paris’, Le Monde, 24 January 2025, https://www.lemonde.fr/en/environment/article/2025/01/24/pfas-france-s-drinking-water-is-massively-contaminated-by-forever-chemicals-including-in-paris_6737375_114.html.
Or. en
Amendment 16
Motion for a resolution
Recital I b (new)
Motion for resolution
Amendment
Ib. whereas the positive impact of organic farming on the prevention of nutrient leaching can be observed1a; whereas the EU has set an ambitious objective of increasing the area under organic farming to 25 % by 2030; whereas the latest data confirm the continuation of a fast and sharp expansion in organic farming in the EU, although with observed annual decreases in a few Member State; whereas there is a lack of support for the development and approval of innovative plant protection and fertilising products needed for a just transition to alternative systems, as well as for conventional farming;
____________
1a Česonienė, L., Šileikienė, D., Čiteikė, L., Mozgeris, G., Takayoshi, K., The Impact of Organic and Intensive Agricultural Activity on Groundwater and Surface Water Quality, Water, 15, 1240, 2023, https://doi.org/10.3390/w15061240.
Or. en
Amendment 17
Motion for a resolution
Recital I c (new)
Motion for resolution
Amendment
Ic. whereas high nitrate concentrations in river basins in the EU directly impact public health and drinking water supplies; whereas nitrate pollution originating from intensive agricultural activity left a few hundred thousand people without a drinking water source in 20231a; whereas excessive application of nutrients resulting in run-offs also impacts marine areas, especially the coastal areas1b;
____________
1a Servimedia, ‘El agua contaminada por macrogranjas duplicó los pueblos afectados en España en 2023’, Vanguardia, 16 January 2025, https://www.lavanguardia.com/sociedad/20250116/10288968/agua-contaminada-macrogranjas-duplico-pueblos-afectados-espana-2023-agenciaslv20250116.html.
1b Jung-Madsen, S., Boutrup, I.K., Fredshavn, J., Hansen, A.S., Nielsen, V.V. et al., 2023. Vandmiljø og Natur 2021. NOVANA. Tilstand og udvikling - faglig sammenfatning. Aarhus Universitet, DCE – Nationalt Center for Miljø og Energi, 75 s. - Videnskabelig rapport, http://dce2.au.dk/pub/SR532.pdf.
Or. en
Amendment 18
Motion for a resolution
Recital I d (new)
Motion for resolution
Amendment
Id. whereas demands to cut nitrate pollution have been made through class legal action;
Or. en
Amendment 19
Motion for a resolution
Recital I e (new)
Motion for resolution
Amendment
Ie. whereas actions to better monitor and reduce pollution at source from non-domestic discharges should contribute to improving the quality of the sludge produced and ensure its safe use in agriculture;
Or. en
Amendment 20
Motion for a resolution
Recital J a (new)
Motion for resolution
Amendment
Ja. whereas there is a lack of comprehensive research on the comparative water relations of different farming systems, cropping systems and crops; whereas this is suboptimal given the importance of water for crop production and the increasing water scarcity;
Or. en
Amendment 21
Motion for a resolution
Recital J b (new)
Motion for resolution
Amendment
Jb. whereas changes in climate conditions and soil moisture threaten specific tree species and the planted forests in which these species are dominant; whereas old-growth forests in analogous climate conditions serve as a reference and provide guidance for reforestation with higher resilience potential for forests managed for wood supply;
Or. en
Amendment 22
Motion for a resolution
Recital L a (new)
Motion for resolution
Amendment
La. whereas compensation from State aid schemes to primary producers for the damage caused by droughts and floods in the EU in recent years has reached hundreds of millions of euro; whereas State aid rules, to a large extent, do not provide an incentive for minimising the risk of drought or flooding through preventive measures;
Or. en
Amendment 23
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Motion for resolution
Amendment
2a. Calls for the full application of the precautionary principle, the control at source principle and the polluter pays principle; calls for control-at-source measures to be included in agricultural sector legislation, accompanied by the proper implementation and enforcement of EU legislation; highlights that this must be accompanied by the streamlining of funding into the just transition in agriculture;
Or. en
Amendment 24
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Motion for resolution
Amendment
5a. Calls on the Commission to propose, within the upcoming water resilience strategy, measures and guidance to lay down a path for rules and conditionality under the common agricultural policy post-2027 for both EAGF and EAFRD; calls for similar measures to be proposed for a new State aid framework for agriculture, forestry and rural areas, in order to improve water aspects of agricultural production and its resilience;
Or. en
Amendment 25
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Motion for resolution
Amendment
8. Calls for the transition to a sustainable farming model assisted by the implementation of innovative technological solutions than can help ensure continued productivity while enabling agriculture to reduce pollution and adapt to lower water use;
8. Calls for the transition to a sustainable low input farming model assisted by the implementation of solutions than can help ensure continued productivity while enabling agriculture to reduce pollution and adapt to lower water use;
Or. en
Amendment 26
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Motion for resolution
Amendment
8a. Calls on the Commission to set up an EU agroforestry platform for water resilient agriculture, delivering vocational centres of excellence for knowledge transfer and training in agroforestry to facilitate its expert application in the EU; stresses that the presence of trees on agricultural land must not constitute a legal barrier to farmers receiving funding for the use of that land under the common agricultural policy; calls further for an action plan for agroecological agricultural practices to be drawn up;
Or. en
Amendment 27
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Motion for resolution
Amendment
9a. Deplores cases where illegal water abstraction has been legalised; reiterates the importance of water and its sustainable use and reuse, including in agriculture; calls for the application of strong dissuasive measures to protect the ecological and quantitative status of surface and groundwater bodies; calls for technical guidance and training to be developed for enforcement and legal authorities, in order to identify possible gaps and to improve institutional knowledge capacity on the value of the quantitative and qualitative status of water bodies;
Or. en
Amendment 28
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 b (new)
Motion for resolution
Amendment
9b. Highlights that increased irrigation efficiency is of wider public interest and should therefore benefit from public funding; proposes the exploration of policy scenarios and rules where beneficiaries of increased irrigation efficiency account for return flows, and where the allocation of permits in agriculture accounts for uncertainties in key water parameters and explicitly embeds conditionality criteria regarding compliance with minimal ecological flow, which should be a core criteria for any activity;
Or. en
Amendment 29
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 c (new)
Motion for resolution
Amendment
9c. Emphasises that inefficient and obsolete irrigation systems further increase the pressure on surface and groundwater abstraction; considers that the modernisation and restoration of existing installations without net increase in water use should be preferred to the construction of new installations;
Or. en
Amendment 30
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Motion for resolution
Amendment
11a. Emphasises the positive impact of integrated pest management on water quality and calls for a gradual decrease of pesticide use, contributing to the zero pollution ambition;
Or. en
Amendment 31
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 b (new)
Motion for resolution
Amendment
11b. Calls on the Commission to propose an integrated nutrient management action plan without delay to effectively address nutrient loss, nutrient pollution and inefficiencies in the nutrient cycle; suggests that with respect to critical raw materials such as phosphorus, a minimum combined reuse and recycling rate should be set at EU level in order to ensure the proper and safe recovery of phosphorus from organic sources and to incentivise investments in its recovery;
Or. en
Amendment 32
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 c (new)
Motion for resolution
Amendment
11c. Highlights that novel products, fertilising products, biostimulants, soil improvers and plant protection products aiming for higher environmental sustainability, including in relation to water and circularity, may face unfair competition and trading practices; calls for enhanced guidance and assistance to improve EU market access for EU candidate products; calls for cooperation with farmers to be facilitated for field trial purposes, including via the agricultural European Innovation Partnership, in order to improve the process of registration for sustainable products and CE certification and to promote knowledge transfer on alternative approaches, resulting in more tools being made available for farmers;
Or. en
Amendment 33
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Motion for resolution
Amendment
12. Calls on the Commission to establish comprehensive EU-wide quality standards for PFAS totals in groundwater and surface water;
13. Emphasises the urgency of addressing pollution from pharmaceuticals, bisphenols and other emerging pollutants to align with the EU’s zero pollution ambition and the goal of achieving good chemical status for all water bodies;
12. Calls on the Commission to urgently address pollution from PFAS, including more soluble short-chain PFAS, and to establish comprehensive EU-wide quality standards for PFAS totals in groundwater and surface water, as well as to phase out their production for use in agriculture;
14. Calls for increased monitoring of pesticide residues in water bodies and stricter enforcement of pesticide application regulations to mitigate their impact on water quality;
Or. en
15. Calls on the Commission to include an overview of measures in an annex to the EWRS, with a clear timeline for achieving the objectives in question;
Amendment 34
Climate adaptation
Motion for a resolution
16. Calls for climate adaptation proofing of all new EU legislative and non-legislative acts in order to ensure the integration of climate adaptation into sectoral plans and policy measures affecting water and land use; calls on the Commission to fully take into account the specific situation of islands and peripheral regions when adopting new legislative and non-legislative proposals;
Paragraph 13 a (new)
17. Reiterates that climate adaptation solutions should not come at the cost of ecosystem degradation and should avoid increasing the demand for water- and energy-intensive activities, whether by expanding existing operations or introducing new ones, while ensuring equitable access to water for all;
Motion for resolution
18. Insists that, with climate change impacts becoming more persistent, flood and drought management must fully integrate arising risks; is convinced that a combination of preparedness, emergency and recovery responses on the one hand, and adapting societal and economic activities on the other, is essential to reduce vulnerability and increase resilience;
Amendment
19. Calls on Member States to create natural water reserves based on up-to-date assessments of climate risks to protect critical water supplies and their catchments, and taking into consideration the environmental impact of developing such reserves;
13a. Expects the water resilience strategy to set out a proposal on biopesticides and on the sustainable use of pesticides;
20. Affirms the crucial cross-cutting role of nature-based solutions in addressing the challenges of the triple planetary crisis; calls on the Commission and Member States to prioritise the deployment of nature-based solutions for water resilience in their policy actions and recommendations;
Or. en
Funding and pricing
Amendment 35
Paragraph 13 b (new)
Motion for resolution
Amendment
13b. Reiterates the importance of regular soil monitoring to support and inform any actions aimed at improving its properties, also with a view to improving its water retention capacity;
Or. en
Amendment 36
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Motion for resolution
Amendment
20a. Notes that carefully designed forest management measures can improve watershed health, regulate water flow and reduce drought stress; highlights that the loss of forest intactness leads to declines or changes in key environmental services, including watershed regulation; notes that intact ecosystems are more capable of overcoming environmental stressors ; calls for old-growth and primary forests, as defined in the country where they are located, to be mapped as a matter of urgency;
Or. en
Amendment 37
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 b (new)
Motion for resolution
Amendment
20b. Calls for carbon farming activities to contribute to water resilience; calls for adequate, independent and science-based guidance for farmers in order to harness the synergies between various co-benefits of the schemes, promoting ecosystem services and the role of wetlands, agroforestry systems and close-to-nature forestry;
Or. en
Amendment 38
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Motion for resolution
Amendment
21. Emphasises that the EWRS should ensure adequate funding from public and private sources in order to support resilient water infrastructure, sustainable water management, data collection, research, nature-based solutions and the uptake of water-efficient technologies, as well as to uphold nature restoration and biodiversity;
22. Calls on the Commission to create a separate and dedicated fund as a single EU access point for water resilience within the upcoming MFF;
21. Emphasises that the EWRS should close the funding gap and ensure adequate funding from public and private sources in order to support resilient water infrastructure, sustainable water management, the retention of water in agricultural ecosystems, data collection, research, nature-based solutions and the uptake of water-efficient technologies, as well as to uphold nature restoration and biodiversity;
23. Recalls that the lack of a dedicated water funding line or binding funding targets within the current MFF limits the EU’s capacity to direct targeted investments towards essential water resilience measures;
Or. en
24. Regrets that the application of the cost recovery principle remains low to non-existent in several Member States; calls on Member States and their regional authorities to implement adequate water pricing policies and fully apply the cost recovery principle for both environmental and resource costs;
Amendment 39
Digitalisation and innovation
Motion for a resolution
25. Stresses the potential of digitalisation and artificial intelligence in improving the management and monitoring of bodies of water;
Paragraph 22 a (new)
26. Calls on the Commission, Member States and water providers to mainstream digitalisation and enhance the use of management and metering data for evidence-based decision-making at both the regulatory and consumption level; calls for digitally enabled water technologies to enable distance monitoring and reporting on water quality, leakages, use and resources;
Motion for resolution
27. Notes that better data and data analysis are key to evidence-based decision-making and the swift identification of small changes in water quality that could present a threat to bodies of water, together with the evaluation of best practices and identification of the most cost-effective measures;
Amendment
Cross-border cooperation
22a. Calls for targeted funding via the agricultural European Innovation Partnership for field trials on the water relations of different cropping systems, in particular low input systems such as agroecological, regenerative, organic and agroforestry systems, and conventional systems, assessing factors including agronomic water use, soil moisture, pollution, and leaching into groundwaters and surface waters, as well as the resistance of farming systems to current or future drought scenarios;
28. Stresses the need for a comprehensive EWRS that fosters cross-border cooperation, ensuring sustainable water management and equitable resource distribution among Member States;
Or. en
29. Calls for enhanced international cooperation, including at the level of river basins, to address the growing water crisis, ensure clean and high-quality water, promote sustainable water management and implement nature-based solutions;
30. Urges the EU to lead international efforts to protect and restore water ecosystems, in line with the WFD, the EU Biodiversity Strategy and the European Green Deal;
°
° °
31. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council and the Commission.
EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
This report presents an outline for the upcoming European Water Resilience Strategy that represents a significant advancement in the EU’s commitment to enhancing water resilience, ensuring sustainable water management, and safeguarding water as an indispensable resource for future generations. The rapporteur aims to deliver a basis for a comprehensive and binding legislative framework that addresses water resilience through six key pillars: water efficiency, pollution mitigation, climate adaptation, funding, digitalisation and innovation, and cross-border cooperation.
With the strong belief that water sustainability must be a cornerstone of all EU policies, the rapporteur argues that every policy should be assessed for its impact on water resources, including quality, quantity, and accessibility. Embedding water sustainability into decision-making processes ensures that water resilience becomes integral to EU governance. This requires moving away from the outdated perception of water as an infinite resource, to recognising its intrinsic value as being essential to addressing environmental, social, and economic challenges Europe faces today, and in the near future.
The rapporteur emphasises the importance of binding sectoral water efficiency and abstraction targets for agriculture, industry, and domestic use, tailored to basin-level assessments. An evidence-based approach, supported by enhanced data collection and digital tools, is vital to effectively monitor and enforce these targets. Innovative water management practices must be prioritised to address water scarcity. Agriculture and industry, as two of the most significant water users, but also contributors to our food and economic security, must adopt efficient practices to balance their economic and environmental contributions. Encouraging innovation, fostering knowledge exchange, and implementing sustainable practices are crucial steps to ensure responsible water use across sectors.
Addressing pollution is equally essential to achieving water resilience. The rapporteur stresses the urgent need for stricter enforcement of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) and related legislation to combat chemical pollution in water. Emerging pollutants, such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and bisphenols, present long-term ecological and health risks that require immediate action. Establishing EU-wide quality standards for PFAS in groundwater and surface water is crucial. Additionally, enhanced monitoring under the WFD, coupled with comprehensive measures to regulate industrial discharges, urban wastewater, and agricultural inputs, is necessary to combat contamination by PFAS and other hazardous substances. Relating to agriculture, the common agricultural policy funding should support the transition to low-input and organic farming practices to reduce reliance on chemical pesticides and fertilizers. By addressing pollution at its source and integrating circular economy principles, the EU can protect water from source to sea.
Climate adaptation is fundamental to making the European Water Resilience Strategy a future-proof tool. Water resilience is inextricably linked to the impacts of climate change, including floods and droughts. The rapporteur underscores the importance of nature-based solutions, such as restoring wetlands, rewetting peatlands, and creating natural water reserves, to enhance resilience against extreme weather events. These measures not only mitigate climate impacts but also restore ecological balance. The rapporteur believes that Member States must develop comprehensive drought and flood management plans that incorporate digital monitoring and early warning systems to ensure effective responses. Adaptation measures must avoid exacerbating water- and energy-intensive activities while ensuring equitable access to water for all sectors.
Adequate funding is a cornerstone of this strategy. The rapporteur calls on the Commission to establish a dedicated funding line for water resilience within the upcoming multiannual financial framework (MFF). This funding should support the goals of the strategy, including infrastructure modernisation, innovative technologies, data collection, nature-based solutions, and compliance with legislative obligations, with a particular focus on addressing regional disparities and supporting economically disadvantaged areas. Public-private partnerships will also be pivotal in strengthening investment in water resilience. Governance frameworks should clearly define the roles of stakeholders in planning, financing, and implementing nature-based solutions, while integrating diverse funding sources, including philanthropic contributions and private-sector partnerships.
Digitalisation and innovation are transformative forces in advancing water resilience. Digital tools, artificial intelligence, and smart water technologies can revolutionise water management and monitoring by providing real-time data on water quality, usage, and leakages. Such technologies enable evidence-based policymaking and timely responses to emerging challenges. Real-time data collection is particularly critical for detecting small but significant changes in water systems, allowing policymakers to prioritise resources effectively. The rapporteur stresses the importance of data collection in ensuring monitoring and analysis of water efficiency and water pollution targets. To that end, the rapporteur highlights the role of digitalisation in robust data collection and calls on the Commission and Member States to prioritise knowledge sharing, and capacity building to ensure coordinated and equitable advancements in data collection through adoption of innovative digital technologies.
Water resilience is a transboundary challenge requiring strong international and regional collaboration. Climate change exacerbates shared water challenges, such as floods and water scarcity, which threaten social cohesion and stability. The report calls for enhanced international and regional cooperation to promote sustainable water management and equitable resource distribution. The rapporteur advocates the establishment of natural water reserves and greater collaboration at river basin level. Strengthened partnerships with neighbouring countries and international organisations will ensure that water resilience becomes a cornerstone of global and regional environmental strategies.
Water is essential to ensure the resilience of Europe. It is a resource needed for our food security, for our industry’s competitiveness, including for emerging technological advancements, and, above all, it is essential for our own livelihood. The rapporteur believes that this report provides a bold, comprehensive framework for a stronger, more competitive and more resilient Europe, ready to tackle both current and future water challenges. By prioritising sustainability, inclusivity, and innovation, the report outlined envisions a people-centred water resilience framework that secures the long-term health of Europe’s water resources, ecosystems, and communities today, and for generations to come.
ANNEX: ENTITIES OR PERSONS FROM WHOM THE RAPPORTEUR HAS RECEIVED INPUT
Pursuant to Article 8 of Annex I to the Rules of Procedure, the rapporteur for the opinion declares that he received input from the following entities or persons in the preparation of the draft report:opinion:
Entity and/or person
Aqua Publica Europea
Edelman Public Relations Worldwide
Bentley Systems International Limited
European Federation of National Associations of Water Services (EurEau)
Danfoss
European Environmental Bureau (EEB)
ECOLAB
EEA - European Environmental Agency
EEB - European Environmental Bureau
ERN - European Rivers Networks
EurEau
European Anglers Alliance
European Association for the Consumption-Based Billing of Energy Costs - AISBL
Grundfos
Malta Business Bureau
Permanent Representation of Spain to the EU
Suez
The Energy and Water Agency, Malta
The Nature Conservancy
Veolia
Wetlands International Europe
Water Europe
The list above is drawn up under the exclusive responsibility of the rapporteur for opinion in his capacity as rapporteur for opinion.
Wetlands International
Where natural persons are identified in the list by their name, by their function or by both, the rapporteur for opinion in his capacity as rapporteur for opinion declares that he has submitted to the natural persons concerned the European Parliament’s Data Protection Notice No 484 (https://www.europarl.europa.eu/data-protect/index.do), which sets out the conditions applicable to the processing of their personal data and the rights linked to that processing.
WWF
Xylem
The list above is drawn up under the exclusive responsibility of the rapporteur.
Where natural persons are identified in the list by their name, by their function or by both, the rapporteur declares that he has submitted to the natural persons concerned the European Parliament’s Data Protection Notice No 484 (https://www.europarl.europa.eu/data-protect/index.do), which sets out the conditions applicable to the processing of their personal data and the rights linked to that processing.