Water Scarcity and Drought

This theme is a priority because Europe is still suffering the consequences of water shortage – and in some countries the severe drought – of 2005. Water scarcity and drought is furthermore a problem that will increasingly be faced at EU level, particularly in a context of climate change in which extreme phenomena are more frequent and devastating. In this regard, Portugal will strive to give an European dimension to this problem in terms of identifying the need for sharing experiences and developing a common approach.

Water scarcity and drought will be the theme of the Informal Environment Council of the Portuguese Presidency, which will take place in Lisbon on 1 September.

Portugal considers of extreme importance that the European Union develops an adequate answer to this problem as we consider that the current policy instruments on water management fail to contemplate a specific analysis of this problem and its consequences.

The European Commission will present a Communication on this issue in July, which will be a key contribution to the Informal ministerial in September.