EEB feedback to the call for evidence on Water Resilience Strategy and water efficiency first principle

This document is the EEB’s response to the European Commission’s open consultation on the upcoming Water Resilience Strategy and the water efficiency first principle. It outlines the EEB’s recommendations for both of these EU files, with the key recommendations summarised as follows:

1. Full delivery of the EU Green Deal: Tackling the triple planetary crisis in a holistic manner

2. Green and digital transition that doesn’t undermine water resilience

3. Curbing pollution to ensure water availability

4. Preventing deterioration and ramping up freshwater and coastal ecosystem restoration

5. No deregulation or backtracking: Maintaining and better implementing environmental standards and stepping up enforcement

6. Not repeating old mistakes: Rethinking land and water management

7. Storing more water in nature and avoiding maladaptation

8. Avoiding construction in flood risk areas

9. More efficient spending: Better use of economic instruments and phase out of harmful subsidies

10. Beyond efficiency: Addressing demand and setting water efficiency and abstraction targets at river basin level