Water Europe has released a socio-economic study, calling for €255 billion in water investments in the next six years to protect Europe’s economy and ensure environmental sustainability. The study on the Value of EU Investing in Water stresses the need for more robust water management to address the growing threat of water scarcity, which affects 38% of the EU population and jeopardizes key industries such as semiconductors, data centers, renewable hydrogen, and electric vehicle battery production.
Together, these four industries are valued at €192 billion and are forecast to grow to nearly €1 trillion by 2030. However, this expansion will bring a 2.6-fold increase in water demand, emphasizing the urgency for sustainable water management to meet future needs.
Durk Krol, Water Europe’s Executive Director, said: “This study comes just at the right moment as the European Commission is planning a Water Resilience Strategy. If we want to achieve the goals of the EU Green Deal and meet the objectives of industrial directives, industries must transition into water-smart industries. Our aim with this study is to provide actionable insights on how we can secure water availability for both nature and economic activities, paving the way towards a Water-Smart Society.” The study highlights the importance of advanced technologies, such as water purification and closed-loop systems, as ways to reduce consumption and boost efficiency. These innovations could save Europe up to €3 billion annually while creating over 13,000 jobs.
With 29% of the EU’s territory already experiencing water scarcity, this poses a serious threat to human communities and ecosystems, endangering not only economic progress but also the ecological balance needed to sustain future growth.
Water Europe’s study calls for strategic investments of €255 billion by 2030 to ensure compliance with EU water directives and to increase the efficiency of water systems across the continent.
As Europe prepares to tackle the twin crises of climate change and water scarcity, the study presents a clear path forward: investing in water-saving technologies and sustainable management will secure both economic and environmental benefits. Public and private partnerships must be mobilized now to ensure that Europe’s water resources can support future economic growth and ecological resilience.
Read the complete study here.
