1. Climate Change and River Basin Planning
CIS workshop Climate Change and Water
Bonn, November 2007
Climate Change and River Basin Planning
Marieke van Nood
Unit ‘Protection of Water & Marine Environment’
DG Environment, European Commission

2. EU water policy and adaptation/green paper Water Scarcity and Drought
Content
Introduction
EU water policy and adaptation/green paper
Water Scarcity and Drought
Other relevant CIS activities
Notes for the Speaker:
More information on the Directive, the implementation process and also the guidance documents are available on the internet.

3. Introduction
Increasing differentiation within Europe and the exacerbation of existing problems
The story is about too much and too little water, but let’s not forget effects on water quality
Water is a cross-sectoral adaptation issue (agriculture, tourism, energy, biodiversity, navigation)
There is enough knowledge to act and adaptation has started, but there is much more to do within each of the policy sectors

4. Selection of events on Adaptation at EU level:
Introduction
Selection of events on Adaptation at EU level:
Science - Policy workshop (EC, DG ENV/RTD/JRC), Brussels -25/26 September 2006
Berlin Conference ‘Time to adapt’, February 2007
Publications:
Climate Change and the European Water Dimension 2005, JRC
Marine and Coastal Dimension of Climate Change in Europe, 2006, JRC
EEA report 2007: Climate change and water adaptation issues
Adoption Green Paper + Conference June 2007
Establishment CIS Strategic Steering Group Climate and Water September 2007
+ many related activities

5. Green Paper ‘Adapting to Climate Change in Europe’
Adopted 29 June 2007
Early action could bring clear economic benefits
The EU plays an important role in adaptation
Four lines of priority actions to be considered:
Early action where current knowledge is sufficient;
Integrating adaptation into the EU’s external relations;
Filling knowledge gaps with EU-level research;
Involving society in preparation of adaptation strategies.
Follow-up
Broad public debate in , including 4 regional workshops in autumn 2007 and web-based consultation;
White Paper and Impact Assessment by the end of 2008.
Notes for the Speaker:
More information on the Directive, the implementation process and also the guidance documents are available on the internet.

6. Green Paper ‘Adapting to Climate Change in Europe’
Climate proofing:
‘Ensuring the sustainability of investments over their entire lifetime, taking explicit account of a changing climate’
More information:
Notes for the Speaker:
More information on the Directive, the implementation process and also the guidance documents are available on the internet.

7. More relevant EU Water Legislation / Policy
Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC)
Completing the framework
Groundwater (2006/118/EC)
Priority Substances (negotiations ongoing)
Extending the scope
Floods Directive (2007/60/EC)
Marine Strategy Directive (negotiations ongoing)
Communication Water Scarcity and Droughts (July 2007)
Notes for the Speaker:
More information on the Directive, the implementation process and also the guidance documents are available on the internet.

8. Water Scarcity & Drought and CC - 3
Focus on Water Demand Management, cf energy
Progress towards full implementation of the WFD
 Address ineffective water pricing policies
Improve land use and planning: address inadequate water allocation
 Water saving must become the priority. There is huge potential, EU wastes at least 20% of its water.
 Further integrate water concerns into sectoral policies
 Fill knowledge gaps and ensure data comparability
Notes for the Speaker:
More information on the Directive, the implementation process and also the guidance documents are available on the internet.

9. Water Scarcity and Drought - policy options
Putting the right price tag on water
Allocating water more efficiently
Improving drought risk management
Increasing water supply: the very last option
Fostering water performance technologies and practices
Fostering the emergence of water-saving culture in EU
Improving knowledge and data collection

10. Other relevant CIS activities
Exemptions WFD Articles 4.4, 4.5 and 4.6
Common understanding of extreme floods/prolonged droughts
Working Group on Floods
Several workshops in 2008, o.a. ‘Climate change : how to assess and manage increased risks of river and coastal flooding’
Expert Network on Water Scarcity and Drought
Report on Drought Management Plans
Notes for the Speaker:
More information on the Directive, the implementation process and also the guidance documents are available on the internet.

11. Thank you for your attention!
More information
EC Water Website:
Water Information System for Europe (WISE):
Notes for the Speaker:
More information on the Directive, the implementation process and also the guidance documents are available on the internet.
Thank you for your attention!