with a more interactive approach, e.g. with showcases on local level together
with farmers.
• Engineering: in most regions there is a need for additional buffering capacity by
enlarging the infrastructure interconnectivity among catchments. Connectivity
appears to be the key to addressing the crises. In some regions, water saving
technics in agriculture and other sectors begin to be developed.
• Planning: there is a critical need for more integrated land and water management perspectives. The mobilization of new water resources, through the
building of water retention basins, for instance must not be considered as a
paramount unique solution and must be integrated within a comprehensive
drought plan.
13.4 Conclusions and Recommendations Stemming
from the Implementation of the GAT
In conclusion of this presentation of the governance assessment’s main outcomes,
we can generally state that the context of governance could be greatly improved by
an awareness of the importance of drought conditions and a greater focus on its
prevention.
Forty recommendations have been made to the regional practice partners by the
governance team members. We will present some of our more general observations
and recommendations, which partly stem from regional observations, but which
have relevance and transferability to other regions in North-west Europe.
13.4.1 Continuous Focus on Realizing Awareness Is
Needed
The main and first recommendation to be stressed is a focus on raising the
awareness of drought and water scarcity in all of the NW regions.
Across the areas studied, we found that the problem was that the awareness
among land owners and the general public, and thus many politicians, remains low.
This lack of awareness restricts the selection of forceful interventions to increase
drought resilience and occasionally makes it more difficult to practically realize the
measures chosen.
Based on the governance team visits, the discussions with the water authorities
and with many other stakeholders, and the results of the governance assessment, it
was possible to achieve certain major recommendations regarding this central issue,
which is the awareness and strengthening of drought and water scarcity issues’
position on public and political agendas in the various countries.
13 Towards a Drought Policy in North-West European Regions?
253
with farmers.
• Engineering: in most regions there is a need for additional buffering capacity by
enlarging the infrastructure interconnectivity among catchments. Connectivity
appears to be the key to addressing the crises. In some regions, water saving
technics in agriculture and other sectors begin to be developed.
• Planning: there is a critical need for more integrated land and water management perspectives. The mobilization of new water resources, through the
building of water retention basins, for instance must not be considered as a
paramount unique solution and must be integrated within a comprehensive
drought plan.
13.4 Conclusions and Recommendations Stemming
from the Implementation of the GAT
In conclusion of this presentation of the governance assessment’s main outcomes,
we can generally state that the context of governance could be greatly improved by
an awareness of the importance of drought conditions and a greater focus on its
prevention.
Forty recommendations have been made to the regional practice partners by the
governance team members. We will present some of our more general observations
and recommendations, which partly stem from regional observations, but which
have relevance and transferability to other regions in North-west Europe.
13.4.1 Continuous Focus on Realizing Awareness Is
Needed
The main and first recommendation to be stressed is a focus on raising the
awareness of drought and water scarcity in all of the NW regions.
Across the areas studied, we found that the problem was that the awareness
among land owners and the general public, and thus many politicians, remains low.
This lack of awareness restricts the selection of forceful interventions to increase
drought resilience and occasionally makes it more difficult to practically realize the
measures chosen.
Based on the governance team visits, the discussions with the water authorities
and with many other stakeholders, and the results of the governance assessment, it
was possible to achieve certain major recommendations regarding this central issue,
which is the awareness and strengthening of drought and water scarcity issues’
position on public and political agendas in the various countries.
13 Towards a Drought Policy in North-West European Regions?
253