(cp. European Commission 2012a). However, effective metering is a prerequisite
for actualizing such incentive-based pricing instruments. Consequently, the WFD
also makes use of mentions cost recovery of water services, operating on the
polluter pays principle.
2.3.3.3 Relevance to Drought Policy Implementation
Though the WFD does not provide a common definition of drought (Estrela and
Vargas 2012), nor does it explicitly address droughts (Quevauviller 2011), due to
its innate flexibility as framework, the WFD does offer a dynamic, evolving strategy
to address drought and water scarcity challenges in the context of climate change
through planning processes (Kampragou et al. 2011).
In the context of drought, the WFD aims to provide technical tools and targeted
guidance to member states on the best methods for incorporating and addressing
drought risks in current and future management plans (Kampragou et al. 2011).
In addition, the WFD also provides general criteria for assessing the status of
water bodies from a drought perspective (Estrela and Vargas 2012). Specifically,
abstraction and discharge permitting is required by all member states (Landgrebe
et al. 2011). Besides permitting, water efficiency targets, as outlined within the CIS
based on water stress indicators, are also being implemented at the river basin level.
From the land management perspective, the WFD has also set up several
mechanisms that work to prevent land degradation and desertification impacts,
mainly through measures outlined in the Programme of Measures and the River
Basin Management Plans provided by each member state. On the one hand, this
allows for ample flexibility for adapting the measures to the ecological needs and
boundaries of the local and regional ecosystems. However, this approach also often
leads to differences in interpretation and implementation, and creates uneven levels
of achievement with regards to drought measures.
In conclusion, though the WFD provides a flexible entry point for EU-wide
operationalization of drought-related instruments and measures, there are still
opportunities for improving its approach. As already touched on, the focus of the
WFD on water quality and not water quantity leaves provisioning of the amount of
water resources too general and insufficient to tackling issues of drought and water
scarcity management. Moreover, the WFD and its daughter Directives (discussed in
further sections), place a stronger emphasis on northern Europe, where there is
limited need for measures relating to water quantity, so far. However, this is likely
to change in the coming decades, with climate change impacts shifting water
quantity regimes throughout the whole of Europe (CITE). In light of this, more
expansive guidance for implementing specifically tailored measures for water
scarcity and drought for regions within both southern and northern Europe is
essential.
2 European Drought and Water Scarcity Policies
31
for actualizing such incentive-based pricing instruments. Consequently, the WFD
also makes use of mentions cost recovery of water services, operating on the
polluter pays principle.
2.3.3.3 Relevance to Drought Policy Implementation
Though the WFD does not provide a common definition of drought (Estrela and
Vargas 2012), nor does it explicitly address droughts (Quevauviller 2011), due to
its innate flexibility as framework, the WFD does offer a dynamic, evolving strategy
to address drought and water scarcity challenges in the context of climate change
through planning processes (Kampragou et al. 2011).
In the context of drought, the WFD aims to provide technical tools and targeted
guidance to member states on the best methods for incorporating and addressing
drought risks in current and future management plans (Kampragou et al. 2011).
In addition, the WFD also provides general criteria for assessing the status of
water bodies from a drought perspective (Estrela and Vargas 2012). Specifically,
abstraction and discharge permitting is required by all member states (Landgrebe
et al. 2011). Besides permitting, water efficiency targets, as outlined within the CIS
based on water stress indicators, are also being implemented at the river basin level.
From the land management perspective, the WFD has also set up several
mechanisms that work to prevent land degradation and desertification impacts,
mainly through measures outlined in the Programme of Measures and the River
Basin Management Plans provided by each member state. On the one hand, this
allows for ample flexibility for adapting the measures to the ecological needs and
boundaries of the local and regional ecosystems. However, this approach also often
leads to differences in interpretation and implementation, and creates uneven levels
of achievement with regards to drought measures.
In conclusion, though the WFD provides a flexible entry point for EU-wide
operationalization of drought-related instruments and measures, there are still
opportunities for improving its approach. As already touched on, the focus of the
WFD on water quality and not water quantity leaves provisioning of the amount of
water resources too general and insufficient to tackling issues of drought and water
scarcity management. Moreover, the WFD and its daughter Directives (discussed in
further sections), place a stronger emphasis on northern Europe, where there is
limited need for measures relating to water quantity, so far. However, this is likely
to change in the coming decades, with climate change impacts shifting water
quantity regimes throughout the whole of Europe (CITE). In light of this, more
expansive guidance for implementing specifically tailored measures for water
scarcity and drought for regions within both southern and northern Europe is
essential.
2 European Drought and Water Scarcity Policies
31