As climate change tightens its grip on Europe, EU countries are unprepared to deal with water scarcity and the potential conflicts it may lead to, according to a draft European Commission document urging EU governments to accelerate their efforts to combat climate change, informs POLITICO. The document highlights water scarcity as a pervasive threat, endangering various aspects of life, including food security, infrastructure, and human health.
Already, tensions are rising in some regions. In Spain, drought in Catalonia has led to political friction over water resources, and France saw violent clashes over plans for water reservoirs last year. The impending crisis is underscored by the release of the first-ever European Climate Risk Assessment by the European Environment Agency, which identifies 36 key risks facing the continent – including floods and droughts – many of which are already at catastrophic levels.
The Commission's message calls on EU Member States to improve their preparedness for climate-related risks. It warns of dire consequences, including economic losses estimated at 7% of the EU's output by 2100 and annual damages of €1.6 trillion from coastal flooding alone. The cost of droughts and floods for EU countries since 1980 is estimated at €9 billion and €170 billion per year, respectively. “Insufficient or delayed implementation of integrated water management will be unaffordable”, it warns. Moreover, the impacts of climate change extend beyond water scarcity, affecting areas such as public health, infrastructure, and inequality with southern countries being the most affected.
While urging member states to take action, the Commission also commits to enhancing EU-wide resilience measures, although a major initiative to improve resilience against droughts and floods was recently postponed. Measures include strengthening workers' protections against heat waves, establishing minimum climate resilience requirements for EU spending, and providing guidance for rural landscapes to withstand climate risks. EU initiatives would build on the new nature restoration law, which was recently approved by the European Parliament, despite much controversy, and now faces a final vote by the Council.
Additionally, combating misinformation surrounding climate change is deemed crucial in bolstering Europe's preparedness efforts, and the draft documents says the Commission “will enhance the use of relevant policy tools, digital solutions, and communication approaches to fight climate disinformation.”
