Commission proposes European Climate Resilience Law with explicit provisions on water security
On 27 October, the European Commission presented its EU Framework for Climate Resilience, including a proposal for a Regulation establishing a European Climate Resilience Law. The package aims to strengthen coordination in assessing and managing climate risks across the European Union.
Water security and critical water infrastructure systems are explicitly listed among the policy areas that climate risk assessments and strategic plans would have to cover. Other areas include energy, transport, public health, food security and ecosystems.
The proposed Regulation would establish a common reference trajectory for global warming to inform risk assessments and strategic planning. It provides for a European climate risk assessment by June 2028 and national assessments by June 2029, followed by updates every five years.
A Union strategic plan would be due by September 2028, with Member States required to adopt national strategic plans by December 2030. National plans would identify responsibility for managing major climate risks and include investment needs, indicative financing sources and implementation measures. Both Union and national plans would have to promote nature-based solutions and ecosystem-based adaptation.
The proposal also includes requirements for transboundary consultation. When preparing or updating their plans, Member States would consult neighbouring countries and other Member States likely to be significantly affected, addressing shared risks, planned measures and opportunities for cooperation. Regional and local authorities and the public would be given opportunities to participate in preparing national plans.
The accompanying Communication outlines plans for a new European Water initiative, complementing the Water Resilience Strategy and the European Ocean Pact. It identifies water efficiency, natural water retention, reuse, and drought and flood resilience as priorities, and announces guidance on drought risk management and drought indicators before the end of 2026.
The proposed European Climate Resilience Law will now be assessed and discussed by the European Parliament and the Council, before adoption.
