River basin management plans in Europe GREEN - River Basin Management Plans adopted! YELLOW - consultations finalised, but awaiting adoption. RED - consultation have not started or ongoing.

2012 Blueprint to Safeguard European Waters Jose Manuel Barroso: ”Europe has strong water legislation in place, and the challenge now is to see how it is working in practice. Rising demand from competing uses and the impacts of climate change are increasing the pressure on water resources. That's why we have scheduled a number of policy reviews that will help us develop – by 2012 – a blueprint to safeguard European waters.” (22 March 2010)

2012 Blueprint to Safeguard European Waters The Blueprint will include: Assessment of river basin management plans Review of the Strategy for Water Scarcity and Droughts Review of the vulnerability of water and environmental resources to climate impacts and man-made pressures. It will examine: The balance between water demand and the supply of clean water, taking into account the needs of both human activities and of natural ecosystems. The effectiveness of current policies, and the need for further policies or measures necessary to strengthen the resilience of EU water policy How this new ambition level should be supported by data collection, scientific and technological development.

WS&D - policy development Communication 2007 and follow-up: Council conclusions - review & further develop WS&D policy by 2012 EP report – new initiatives incl. pilot projects preparatory actions Annual follow up reports Policy Review 2012: GAP Analysis Overview of problem & existing measures Identification of gaps Proposal of new measures Assessment of Impact of new measures

WS&D Building Blocks Water Efficiency Better Planning Water Supply Infrastructure Buildings Agriculture Better Planning Demand management Integration WS&D management in RBMP Land use planning Drought observatory European level Drought Information (+ platform) to be developed and managed at Joint Research Centre Building on National & regional data - Subsidiarity principle Indicator development Water exploitation index – not very informative (Annual & national average) Development of more informative indicators for WS&D (EEA & pilot countries)

Impact Assessment Blueprint Outlook of sustainability and vulnerability of EU water resources Impact Assessment Cross-cutting Measures: Land-use management Economic instruments Eco-innovation Assessment of EU water policy instruments 2012 Blueprint To Safeguard EU Waters Report on 2009 River Basin Management Plans Report on 2009 River Basin Management Plans Report on 2009 River Basin Management Plans Report on 2009 River Basin Management Plans Report on 2009 River Basin Management Plans Report on 2009 River Basin Management Plans Review Water Scarcity & Droughts Strategy Review Water Scarcity & Droughts Strategy Review Water Scarcity & Droughts Strategy Review Water Scarcity & Droughts Strategy Review Water Scarcity & Droughts Strategy Climate Change Vulnerability & Adaptation Climate Change Vulnerability & Adaptation Climate Change Vulnerability & Adaptation

Natural Water Retention Measures Call for evidence launched on 15/9/2010 – deadline: 30/11/2010 http://ec.europa.eu/environment/water/adaptation/ecosystemstorage.htm Study on costs and benefits of natural water retention measures Linked with other studies on ecosystem-based approach and green infrastructure Link to key DG ENV Initiatives: Post-2010 Biodiversity Policy and a Strategy on Green Infrastructure. Resource Efficiency (2011)

WG C Groundwater ad-hoc activity on climate change One of the gaps identified in CC&W guidance: impacts on groundwater Establish knowledge base on GW & CC and identify knowledge gaps and areas of highest importance Support and recommendations for 2nd and 3rd RBMP cycle 2 workshops are proposed for 2011 and 2012 Cooperation with EG CC&W and WS&D Discussion: 6-7 October

Water Science meets Policy event Event organised by DG RTD and ONEMA in the frame of CIS ad-hoc activity: Science-Policy Interface (SPI) Better use of science in the RBM context Research needs and gaps of CIS groups Round tables: Ecology, GW, Chemicals, Extremes, Agri, Socio-economy, RBMP, HyMo Recommendations for better dissemination of research results Follow-up: report of the meeting end October; research needs of EG CC&W?

Identification of research needs in round tables Chemicals Influence of climate change to water quality / contamination Ecological status Research area 3 : Evolving toward a more functional and holistic approach of aquatic ecosystems links between global changes (climate, fragmentation, exotics) and ecosystem functioning and assessment tools

Identification of research needs in round table GW Climate change (Primary effects of CC and secondary effects due to CC policies) Issue 1 : effects on GW-demand/supply (including socio-economic aspects) Issue 2 : surface water – groundwater changes in interaction Issue 3 : production of biofuels and effects on GW Issue 4 : changes in GW-chemistry due to CC Issue 5 : changes in GW-quantity Issue 6 : changes in GW-temperature and resulting effects Issue 7 : GW and energy production (e.g. thermal energy) Issue 8 : extreme rainfall events and groundwater e.g. microbiological pollution and impacts on drinking water supply Issue 9: Potential impact of CO2 storage (quality and quantity) Issue 10 : methodology to assess GW vulnerability to CC (primary and secondary effects), visualisation tools