Towards a comprehensive water strategy in the context of the climate and biodiversity emergencies

An EU Blue Deal for a Water-Resilient Europe
Conference
Brussels
Belgium
Water

Scope and objectives

On 2 July 2024, as a follow-up to its call for an EU Blue Deal, the EESC will hold an online event to examine the role of water in the climate and biodiversity emergencies we face, seeking cohesive, sustainable solutions for water resilience.

Policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders will explore effective responses to the cross-cutting water-related challenges linked to climate, biodiversity and the health of ecosystems and humans, and emphasize the critical importance of adapting to changing hydrological patterns and ensuring water security for all.

Through panel discussions, the event seeks to:

  • highlight the interconnectedness of water with climate and biodiversity;
  • explore the challenges in specific sectors, such as the agri-food sector;
  • showcase best practices;
  • foster collaboration to advance the development of an EU Blue Deal as a new standalone strategic priority for the EU, complementary to and in synergy with the EU Green Deal and the Agenda 2030. 

This event will be webstreamed freely on our website, no registration is required. Interpretation will be provided in EN, FR and DE. Participants will be able to interact using Slido with code #WaterStrategy.

Context

This event, organised by the Sustainable Development Observatory (SDO) in cooperation with the Consultative Committee on Industrial Change (CCMI), follows up on the EESC's call for an EU Blue Deal.

With more and more pressing challenges posed by floods and droughts, pollution, ageing infrastructure, climate change, biodiversity loss, as well as a fragmented approach to water policies at EU level, the EU is not on track to achieve the water-related SDGs. This event aims to examine the role of water in the climate and biodiversity emergencies we face, seeking cohesive, sustainable solutions for water resilience.

The event is also timely to feed into the discussions at global level, with the UN High Level Political Forum assessing the state of SDGs implementation in mid-July, the One Water Summit taking place in September and the UN COPs on biodiversity, climate and desertification fast approaching.

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