2.3.2.3 Relevance to Drought Policy Implementation
The Blueprint identifies several pressures to address moving forward. First, the
Blueprint calls for better implementation and increased integration of water policy
objectives in policy areas such as the CAP, the Cohesion and Structural Funds, as
well as energy, transport, and integrated disaster management. The Blueprint views
the development of CIS guidance on natural water retention measures to be
essential to facilitating such an integrated approach.
Second, the Blueprint identifies over abstraction of water. The Blueprint
addresses the need for more quantitative water management, including identification and implementation of the concept of ecological flow, as well as a legal
framework for addressing illegal abstraction of water.
As a reaction to these pressures, the Blueprint calls for the following measures:
• Addressing the vulnerability of EU waters: data from the Blueprint impact
assessment show increasing trends in river flow droughts and flood-related
losses in Europe over the last decades. The Blueprint encourages looking into
measures based on an integrated disaster management approach, with special
emphasis on extreme events including droughts.
• Increased financing measures under the CAP for (more) green infrastructure,
specifically natural water retention measures.
• Continued development of the European Drought Observatory, an early-system
aimed to serve as a preparedness measure for member states and affected
stakeholders.
• Focusing on cross-cutting solutions, such EU water policy relating to Innovation
Partnerships on Water and on Agricultural Productivity and Sustainability.
2.3.3 EU Water Framework Directive
The EU Water Framework Directive foregrounds much of the water policy field in
Europe. As such, this section will pursue a strong focus on the water management
perspective in which to ground discussions regarding implementation of water
scarcity and drought policies within the WFD.
2.3.3.1 History, Aims and Objectives
The EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) (2000/60/EC) was adopted on 23
October 2000. It is the holistic legislation that encompasses all EU water policy, based
on four main pillars that aim to first achieve ‘good status’ of all EU waters by 2015,
second to establish river basin management plans, third to build a framework for
integrated water management, and fourth, encourage public and stakeholder participation. The WFD operates on six-year cycles, with a new cycle set for 2015–2021.
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29
The Blueprint identifies several pressures to address moving forward. First, the
Blueprint calls for better implementation and increased integration of water policy
objectives in policy areas such as the CAP, the Cohesion and Structural Funds, as
well as energy, transport, and integrated disaster management. The Blueprint views
the development of CIS guidance on natural water retention measures to be
essential to facilitating such an integrated approach.
Second, the Blueprint identifies over abstraction of water. The Blueprint
addresses the need for more quantitative water management, including identification and implementation of the concept of ecological flow, as well as a legal
framework for addressing illegal abstraction of water.
As a reaction to these pressures, the Blueprint calls for the following measures:
• Addressing the vulnerability of EU waters: data from the Blueprint impact
assessment show increasing trends in river flow droughts and flood-related
losses in Europe over the last decades. The Blueprint encourages looking into
measures based on an integrated disaster management approach, with special
emphasis on extreme events including droughts.
• Increased financing measures under the CAP for (more) green infrastructure,
specifically natural water retention measures.
• Continued development of the European Drought Observatory, an early-system
aimed to serve as a preparedness measure for member states and affected
stakeholders.
• Focusing on cross-cutting solutions, such EU water policy relating to Innovation
Partnerships on Water and on Agricultural Productivity and Sustainability.
2.3.3 EU Water Framework Directive
The EU Water Framework Directive foregrounds much of the water policy field in
Europe. As such, this section will pursue a strong focus on the water management
perspective in which to ground discussions regarding implementation of water
scarcity and drought policies within the WFD.
2.3.3.1 History, Aims and Objectives
The EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) (2000/60/EC) was adopted on 23
October 2000. It is the holistic legislation that encompasses all EU water policy, based
on four main pillars that aim to first achieve ‘good status’ of all EU waters by 2015,
second to establish river basin management plans, third to build a framework for
integrated water management, and fourth, encourage public and stakeholder participation. The WFD operates on six-year cycles, with a new cycle set for 2015–2021.
2 European Drought and Water Scarcity Policies
29