News 15 May 2025

Europe’s waters are under pressure – Can the European Commission’s new strategy turn the tide?

From shrinking rivers to polluted lakes, Europe’s water systems are showing signs of deep stress. Climate change, over-usage, and pollution are causing tensions for our blue ecosystems, agriculture, and public health. Moreover, over the past years, floods, droughts, and water scarcity have become more frequent, causing billions of euros in damage and negatively affecting economic sectors. In response, the European Commission is preparing to launch a European Water Resilience Strategy on 4 June 2025, aiming to secure Europe’s water future through smarter governance, innovation, and cross-sector collaboration.

A blueprint for water resilience 

The upcoming strategy is expected to be the EU’s most comprehensive water policy package in decades. It will develop a comprehensive multi-annual cross-sectoral plan with milestones in 2030 and 2040 and will focus on restoring and protecting the water cycle, ensuring clean and affordable water for all, and fostering a competitive, circular water economy. At its core lies the principle of “water efficiency first” – a call to rethink how we use, reuse, and value water across all sectors. 

European Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy, Jessika Roswall, who is leading this initiative, recently echoed this urgency in a LinkedIn post, following the Global Water Summit 2025. She emphasized that “unlocking investment is key” and reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to: 

  1. Restoring and protecting the water cycle, 

  1. Building a water-smart economy with businesses and citizens as part of a clean, water-wise circular economy, 

  1. Ensuring clean, affordable water and sanitation for all. 

Her message is clear: Europe must act now and act together. Find her speech here. 

 

Five pillars of action 

The strategy will be built around five key pillars: 

  1. Governance and implementation: strengthening coordination across Member States and river basins 

  1. Infrastructure: investing in resilient, nature-based and digital water systems 

  1. Finance and investment: mobilizing EU and private funding for water-smart solutions 

  1. Security: addressing water-related risks, including droughts, floods, and pollution 

  1. Innovation and education: supporting research, digital tools, and public awareness 

 

MEPs push for ambition 

On 7 May 2025, the European Parliament, with 470 votes in favour, adopted its own-initiative report on the Water Resilience Strategy, calling for a more ambitious and comprehensive EU approach to water management. The resolution includes over 100 recommendations, urging the European Commission to: 

  • Set binding water efficiency and abstraction targets at basin level 

  • Establish EU-wide PFAS standards and phase out their use in consumer goods 

  • Create a dedicated fund for water resilience in the next EU budget 

  • Promote digital monitoring tools to optimize water use 

  • Strengthen cross-border cooperation on shared water resources. 

The vote signals strong political momentum for treating water as a strategic resource, and for embedding water resilience into all areas of EU policymaking. 

 

Why it matters 

Water does not only mean clean lakes and rivers, water is also all around us and is essential for life. The European Water Resilience Strategy might have far-reaching implications across all sectors of the economy – from agriculture and food production to pharmaceuticals manufacturing, urban development, energy, and transport. As water becomes an increasingly strategic resource, businesses and policymakers alike will need to adapt to new standards, investment priorities, and sustainability expectations. The strategy is likely to influence future CAP reforms, reshape environmental compliance frameworks, and open new funding streams for water-smart innovation. 

At Schuttelaar & Partners, we welcome this renewed focus on water resilience. With our mission rooted in sustainability, we believe that collaborative, science-based policymaking is key to securing Europe’s waters. We look forward to supporting our partners and clients in navigating and shaping this evolving policy landscape. 

 

Let’s shape a water-resilient future together 

The European Water Resilience Strategy will bring both challenges and opportunities for stakeholders across all sectors, so now is the time to prepare. Get in touch with our Public Affairs team in Brussels to explore how this strategy could impact your work and how we can help you stay ahead of the curve.