The role of water in the EU’s new climate change adaptation strategy

An online event looking at the role of water in the EU’s action on climate change drew institutional representatives, water sector professionals, industry representatives and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) into a wide-ranging discussion of policy, climate change impact, and sustainable water usage. The event, “The role of water in the new EU Strategy on Adaptation to Climate Change,” was organized by the European Parliament Intergroup on Climate Change, Biodiversity and Sustainable Development and hosted by Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Tiemo Wölken.  

MEP Wölken underscored the importance of focusing on those populations which are most vulnerable to climate crisis. He called for water services to be further integrated into urban planning for better water management and adaptation to climate change.

FAO’s Deputy Director for the Land and Water Division, Sasha Koo-Oshima stressed that the impact of climate change will be felt throughout the water cycle with more than 80 percent of the impact of drought already being absorbed by rural farmers. She highlighted FAO’s work on precision agriculture, including using big data to deliver information on water use, crop growth and weather monitoring to smallholder farmers, helping them to raise the productivity of their land.

The event was also attended by EU Directorate-General for Climate Action Deputy Head of Unit on Adaptation, Liviu Stirbat, and German Federal Ministry of the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety Head of Division for European and International Water Management Issues, Thomas Stratenwerth. They discussed issues ranging from building resilience and preparedness, to promoting sustainable practices in all sectors.