Author(s)

P. Canelas de Castro

Abstract

Climate change in combination with inadequate European water resources will impact the water cycle in Europe with potentially disastrous effects. Against this background, there is an urgent need to revise the management of water resources and to develop strategies for adaptation to the changes. This paper is designed to assess whether EU water law and policy are ready to face the challenge set by climate change, whether the Water Framework Directive responses are good enough, and what can be done for adapting water resources management to climate change impacts. Generally speaking, successful adapting strategies shall be under the framework of the WFD along with its ‘daughter’ directives, based on the approach of integrated water resources management supplemented by measures in water-related sectors, and complemented by new typologies and screening tools, greater control and quality of information as well as a clearer relationship with other relevant legal documents for climate change adaptation. Keywords: adaptation strategies, applicable measures, climate change, integrated management approach, Water Framework Directive, water law and policy, water management, water resources. 1 The context: climate is changing It is hardly disputed any more that the climate is changing. It is also increasingly accepted that this results in insecurity and new security issues which have to be addressed. Scientific research on water conveys the distinct message that climate change will, in particular, impact the water cycle in Europe, with potentially disastrous effects. The predicted impacts will however only render worse, a more serious situation where European water resources already are under stress due to existing and increasing pressures, on the one hand, but also deficient water

Keywords

adaptation strategies, applicable measures, climate change, integrated management approach, Water Framework Directive, water law and policy, water management, water resources