Ahead of the European elections, the European Anglers Alliance (EAA), as part of the Living Rivers Europe coalition, supports a joint call for urgent action to address Europe’s climate and water crises. Living Rivers Europe brings together environmental NGOs including European Environmental Bureau, WWF, Wetlands International, The Nature Conservancy, and EAA.
Climate change is increasingly felt through water extremes—droughts, floods, heatwaves and water scarcity – exposing decades of river fragmentation, ecosystem degradation and unsustainable water use. A water-resilient Europe requires a fundamental shift in how water is valued and managed, prioritising river restoration and nature-based solutions over new grey infrastructure, with a stronger EU role in coordination, enforcement and climate adaptation.
Joint position paper for a water resilient Europe
Our asks – at a glance:
The full position paper, including notes and references, can be downloaded below.
- Full implementation of the EU Green Deal >> Deliver a resilient Europe by mitigating climate change, halting biodiversity loss and reducing resource use, including water. This includes the urgent adoption and ambitious implementation of the EU Nature Restoration Law, with National Restoration Plans used to strengthen nature-based climate adaptation.
- A new Water and Climate Resilience Law >> Establish legally binding requirements for EU Natural Water Reserves to protect critical water resources and catchments in water-stressed areas, supported by adequate EU funding. This should include an EU Sponge Facility, restoration of floodplains, rivers and wetlands, and basin-level water efficiency and abstraction targets covering all sectors.
- Full enforcement of the Water Framework Directive >> Strengthen implementation by increasing the European Commission’s legal and enforcement capacity,
- Climate adaptation proofing of EU policies >> Subject all new EU legislative and non-legislative acts to independent scientific screening by a dedicated Climate Adaptation Panel, ensuring climate resilience is embedded across water- and land-use policies.
- End harmful EU subsidies >> Phase out EU funding for activities that damage river morphology, water quality, natural water retention, soils and groundwater, and redirect investment towards restoration and resilience.
