Bringing life back to Europe's waters: The EU water law in action
Posted on September, 20 2018
With Europe's waters in a dire state, it has never been more important for Member States to make the ambitious EU water law work on the ground.This new report from WWF, EEB, the European Anglers Alliance and European Rivers Network shows that, where there is political will there IS a way, and that this law provides an effective framework for addressing the main pressures facing our freshwater ecosystems.
Healthy freshwater ecosystems are essential for nature, for society and for economies. Yet not even half the waters in the EU are currently considered healthy.The EU Water Framework Directive (WFD), agreed by EU governments in 2000, is a holistic piece of legislation that aims to achieve good status of Europe’s freshwater bodies by 2027 at the latest - from our rivers, streams and lakes, to wetlands, transitional and coastal waters. However, Member States need to seriously ramp up their efforts if they are to reach the WFD's goals.
This report shows that, where political will exists, this visionary law provides an effective framework for addressing the main pressures facing freshwater ecosystems, such as agriculture, hydropower, 'grey' flood defence and navigation.
Bringing life back to Europe's waters: The EU water law in action
© WWF European Policy Office
Bringing life back to Europe's waters: The EU water law in action
© WWF European Policy Office
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