2.3.4 EU Floods Directive
The EU Floods Directive, as first glance, may not appear immediately relevant to
understanding drought and water scarcity policy in Europe. However, the Directive
is worth exploring from the water management perspective as a way to inform
WS&D policy measures and policy strategies. There is a great deal of potential for
harnessing overlaps between drought and flood policy instruments, which to date are
minimal. The water, in particular the water efficiency, perspective thus offers a rich
entry point for understanding interactions between the Floods Directive and WS&D.
2.3.4.1 History, Aims and Objectives
In 2007, following the increase in occurrence of floods throughout Europe, the
Floods Directive (2007/60/EC) emerged as the principle body of policy for targeting flood risk management. By 2011, member states were asked to undertake a
Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment to identify areas with significant flood risks. By
2013, member states were asked to prepare flood hazard and risk maps. As of 2015,
member states were requested to prepare flood risk management plans with set
objectives and methods for achieving those objectives.
2.3.4.2 Structure, Components and Implementation
The Floods Directive promotes an integrated and sustainable approach to the
management of flood risk, in particular regarding the use of river basin-scale
approaches that promote better environmental options of land use. By improving
nature’s water storage capacity and conserving water in natural systems, the severe
effect of droughts and preventing floods are curbed (European Commission—DG
ENV 2011). In order to harness synergies with the WFD, the Floods Directive
Flood Risk Management Plans (FRMPs) should be coordinated with the River
Basin Management Plans (RBMPs).
The implementation of the Floods Directive is based on a six-year planning
cycle. In the first stage of the Floods Directive (already completed), preliminary
flood risk assessment and the identification of areas of potential significant flood
risk were largely based on available information about past significant floods and on
forecasts. In the second stage of the Floods Directive risk management process was
the production of flood hazard maps and flood risk maps for the areas identified as
areas of potential significant flood risks by the end of 2013. The European
Commission is currently assessing the information reported by member states
(European Commission 2015).
The European Commission has performed a preliminary assessment of the
implementation of the Floods Directive, which notes the diversity of approaches
and methodologies used by member states.
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U. Stein et al.
The EU Floods Directive, as first glance, may not appear immediately relevant to
understanding drought and water scarcity policy in Europe. However, the Directive
is worth exploring from the water management perspective as a way to inform
WS&D policy measures and policy strategies. There is a great deal of potential for
harnessing overlaps between drought and flood policy instruments, which to date are
minimal. The water, in particular the water efficiency, perspective thus offers a rich
entry point for understanding interactions between the Floods Directive and WS&D.
2.3.4.1 History, Aims and Objectives
In 2007, following the increase in occurrence of floods throughout Europe, the
Floods Directive (2007/60/EC) emerged as the principle body of policy for targeting flood risk management. By 2011, member states were asked to undertake a
Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment to identify areas with significant flood risks. By
2013, member states were asked to prepare flood hazard and risk maps. As of 2015,
member states were requested to prepare flood risk management plans with set
objectives and methods for achieving those objectives.
2.3.4.2 Structure, Components and Implementation
The Floods Directive promotes an integrated and sustainable approach to the
management of flood risk, in particular regarding the use of river basin-scale
approaches that promote better environmental options of land use. By improving
nature’s water storage capacity and conserving water in natural systems, the severe
effect of droughts and preventing floods are curbed (European Commission—DG
ENV 2011). In order to harness synergies with the WFD, the Floods Directive
Flood Risk Management Plans (FRMPs) should be coordinated with the River
Basin Management Plans (RBMPs).
The implementation of the Floods Directive is based on a six-year planning
cycle. In the first stage of the Floods Directive (already completed), preliminary
flood risk assessment and the identification of areas of potential significant flood
risk were largely based on available information about past significant floods and on
forecasts. In the second stage of the Floods Directive risk management process was
the production of flood hazard maps and flood risk maps for the areas identified as
areas of potential significant flood risks by the end of 2013. The European
Commission is currently assessing the information reported by member states
(European Commission 2015).
The European Commission has performed a preliminary assessment of the
implementation of the Floods Directive, which notes the diversity of approaches
and methodologies used by member states.
32
U. Stein et al.