1. Water and the Green Economy: The EEA perspective
4th European Water Conference
Brussels, 24 March 2015
Dr Hans Bruyninckx
Executive Director, European Environment Agency

2. The 7th EAP: a long term vision of sustainability
“In 2050, we live well, within the planet's ecological limits. Our prosperity and healthy environment stem from an innovative, circular economy where nothing is wasted and where natural resources are managed sustainably, and biodiversity is protected, valued and restored in ways that enhance our society's resilience. Our low-carbon growth has long been decoupled from resource use, setting the pace for a global, safe and sustainable society.”
Source: 7th Environment Action Programme
Other EU policies offer similar perspectives: Europe 2020 Strategy, EU Energy Roadmap 2050, Roadmap to a Resource Efficient Europe, Roadmap for a competitive low-carbon economy in 2050, etc. 2

3. The Water Framework Directive
Source: EEA SOER 2015 briefing on Hydrological systems and sustainable water management

4. GO TO ONLINE BRIEFING
Freshwater quality
Much cleaner than 25 years ago, many water bodies are still affected by pollutants and/or altered habitats.
In 2009, only 43 % showed a good/high ecological status; the 10 points expected increase for 2015 (53 %) constitutes only a modest improvement in aquatic ecosystem health.
Water management should improve with the second round of river basin management plans in resulting in the realisation of more policy objectives through stringent, well- integrated implementation and public participation.
© Peter Kristensen, EEA
Ecol. status of freshwater bodies
Water quality and nutrient loading
Climate change impacts on ecosystems
Industrial pollution to air, soil and water
Water pollution & related envi. health risks
Urban systems and grey infrastructure
Chemicals & related envi. health risks
Water use and water stress
Freshwater quality

5. Hydrological systems and sustainable water management
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Hydrological systems and sustainable water management
Intensive agriculture, urbanisation, energy production and flood protection have altered European hydrological systems and freshwater habitats for decades.
Climate change adds to these challenges (higher water temperature, more floods or water scarcity).
Less than half of all water bodies have a ‘good status’.
Full and coordinated implementation of water and nature legislation would restore aquatic habitats and foster water efficiency.
© Katarzyna Dąbrowska, Environment & Me /EEA
Ecol. status of freshwater bodies
Water quality and nutrient loading
Water use and water stress

6. WFD – achieving good water status
Source: Commission Communication 2015 ‘The Water Framework Directive and the Floods Directive: Actions towards the 'good status' of EU water and to reduce flood risks’.

7. Water management - investing in Natural Capital
Sustainability
1st phase
2nd phase
3rd phase
Climate proof
Green infrastructure
Green/blue cities
Nature based solutions
Reduction at source
Water/food link
Water/energy link
Treatment and sanitation
Flood defence
Drainage
Water efficiency
Economic instruments
Water pricing
Infrastructure
Time

8. SOCIO-TECHNICAL SYSTEMS providing social needs and value
Green Economy: Living well within ecological limits
Ecosystem
services
ECOSYSTEMS
Policy
Values
Technology
Science
Market
Industry
SOCIO-TECHNICAL SYSTEMS
providing social needs and value
Environmental externalities
Withdrawals from the ecosystems
Deposits Emissions Pollution
system
Food
Energy
Mobility

9. SOCIO-TECHNICAL SYSTEMS providing social needs and value
Green Economy: Living well within ecological limits
ECOSYSTEMS
Ecosystem services
Water supply
Habitats
Flood retention / protection
Recreation, cultural services …
Withdrawals from the ecosystems
SOCIO-TECHNICAL SYSTEMS
providing social needs and value
system
Policy
Industry
Energy
system
Food
system
Ecosystem
services
Environmental externalities
system
system
Mobility
system
Market
Values
Deposits Emissions Pollution
Science
Technology

10. SOCIO-TECHNICAL SYSTEMS providing social needs and value
Green Economy: Living well within ecological limits
ECOSYSTEMS
Values and norms
Cultural
Well being
Historic identity
Withdrawals from the ecosystems
SOCIO-TECHNICAL SYSTEMS
providing social needs and value
system
Policy
Industry
Energy
system
Food
system
Ecosystem
services
Environmental externalities
system
system
Mobility
system
Market
Values
Deposits Emissions Pollution
Science
Technology

11. SOCIO-TECHNICAL SYSTEMS providing social needs and value
Green Economy: Living well within ecological limits
Market dynamics
Water services, supply, treatment
Water price
Part in overall production costs
ROI from investing in natural capital
ECOSYSTEMS
Withdrawals from the ecosystems
SOCIO-TECHNICAL SYSTEMS
providing social needs and value
system
Policy
Industry
Energy
system
Food
system
Ecosystem
services
Environmental externalities
system
system
Mobility
system
Market
Values
Deposits Emissions Pollution
Science
Technology

12. SOCIO-TECHNICAL SYSTEMS providing social needs and value
Green Economy: Living well within ecological limits
Water sector
Technology
Process
Energy
Employment
Competitiveness
ECOSYSTEMS
Withdrawals from the ecosystems
SOCIO-TECHNICAL SYSTEMS
providing social needs and value
system
Policy
Industry
Energy
system
Food
system
Ecosystem
services
Environmental externalities
system
system
Mobility
system
Market
Values
Deposits Emissions Pollution
Science
Technology

13. SOCIO-TECHNICAL SYSTEMS providing social needs and value
Green Economy: Living well within ecological limits
ECOSYSTEMS
Technology and science
‘Water’ sector and beyond
Innovation for efficiency
Research for nature based solutions
Patents
Withdrawals from the ecosystems
SOCIO-TECHNICAL SYSTEMS
providing social needs and value
system
Policy
Industry
Energy
system
Food
system
Ecosystem
services
Environmental externalities
system
system
Mobility
system
Market
Values
Deposits Emissions Pollution
Science
Technology

14. ECOSYSTEMS Sectors and core systems SOCIO-TECHNICAL SYSTEMS
Green Economy: Living well within ecological limits
ECOSYSTEMS
Sectors and core systems
Water/energy link
Smart agriculture and food consumption
Inland navigation
Built environment
Withdrawals from the ecosystems
SOCIO-TECHNICAL SYSTEMS
providing social needs and value
system
Policy
Industry
Food
system
Energy
Mobility
Ecosystem
services
Environmental externalities
system
system
Market
Values
Deposits Emissions Pollution
Science
Technology

15. SOCIO-TECHNICAL SYSTEMS providing social needs and value
Green Economy: Living well within ecological limits
ECOSYSTEMS
Withdrawals from the ecosystems
SOCIO-TECHNICAL SYSTEMS
providing social needs and value
Systemic and integrated policies
Achieve “good status” not end goal
Respect sustainability limits
High ambition level
Strong implementation
system
Policy
Industry
Food
system
Ecosystem
services
Energy
system
Environmental externalities
system
system
Mobility
system
Market
Values
Deposits Emissions Pollution
Science
Technology

16. SOCIO-TECHNICAL SYSTEMS providing social needs and value
Externalities
Minimized
Circularity
Evaluated in light of overall sustainability
Green Economy: Living well within ecological limits
ECOSYSTEMS
Withdrawals from the ecosystems
SOCIO-TECHNICAL SYSTEMS
providing social needs and value
system
Policy
Industry
Energy
system
Food
system
Ecosystem
services
Environmental externalities
system
system
Mobility
system
Market
Values
Deposits Emissions Pollution
Science
Technology

17. Eco-industries have prospered despite the recession in Europe
Eco-industry value added
Eco-industry employment
Total EU GDP
Total EU employment
Source: Eurostat, 2014.

18. Conclusions
Achieving the 2050 vision is possible but it depends on our actions and investments today.
Technological, economic, and social innovations can support long-term transitions to green and blue economies.
Publicly funded research has fostered many of the most important and commercially successful innovations.

19. Thank you Hans.Bruyninckx@eea.europa.eu
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20. Ecological status of Europe’s rivers - WFD 1st round
7 % high
36 % good
38 % moderate
13 % poor
5 % bad
Source: EEA 2012