Rome, 20 March 2025
“Check against delivery”
Ladies and gentlemen, good morning, buongiorno,
And thank you for inviting me to the sixth Value of Water Forum here at the Acquario Romano in Rome. I am honoured to join you today to talk about something that is so fundamental to all of us, and to life on our planet. Fundamental, because we all need water to stay alive. Fundamental, because water is an ecosystem which hosts around 20 percent of all species on earth. And fundamental, because water has shaped the development of our societies throughout human history.
After all, water is what enabled our ancestors to reach beyond their own shores and find new settlements. It’s what allowed them to engage in commerce across the globe. And it has always been a common thread through our culture.
It is no coincidence that early settlements were often close to water. Nor is it a coincidence that water had such a profound influence over those settlements.
Rome is a clear example of this. After all, it was Tiberius, God of the Tiber River, who found Romulus and Remus and gave them to the she-wolf Lupa.
And it was here in Rome, less than one kilometre from where we meet today, that Romans from all strands of life gathered at the Baths of Diocletian for hundreds of years.
And of course, it was in Rome that some of greatest examples of water infrastructure were built over two thousand years ago.
From the Aqua Appia to the Aqua Alexandria, the aqueducts are some of the most enduring examples of Roman engineering. It is not a coincidence that we still use this Latin word in so many other languages.
These achievements laid the foundation for modern water distribution, sanitation, and urban planning. Through innovations such as plumbing and sewage systems, the Romans enabled the development of thriving urban civilizations. This laid the ground for the modern world.
Indeed, Rome and its history is a clear example of how efficient and sustainable water management leads to wellbeing and prosperity.
This history is a source of pride. Not just for Rome, but for all of Europe.
But despite this history, we must face an inconvenient truth. Our picture of the world today is very different. And in one hundred years’ time, the difference will be even more striking.
Because water is under enormous pressure. And climate change means that this pressure will grow. With more floods. More droughts. And more desertification.
In Italy alone there were over three hundred and fifty extreme weather events in 2024. This is nearly a five hundred percent increase in a decade. These numbers are staggering. And they affect our lives.
So I want to talk about three things with you today. First, the problems facing our waters. Second, the solutions I see. And third and most important, how we can work together to deliver the change we need.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Just over one month ago, I presented three important reports on the state of European waters. Specifically, they looked at what Member States are doing to better protect our waters and to better prepare against extreme weather events.
The overall findings are clear. Our waters are heavily polluted. Our water supply is under pressure. And we are not doing enough to reduce the risk of serious floods.
Surface waters are in a particularly critical state. Less than forty percent of EU surface water bodies achieve good ecological status. And only a quarter achieve good chemical status.
This state of our waterbodies is worsened by the impact of climate change. And these risks will increase unless we act quickly.
You know better than me how you can have excessive draughts and devastating floods within short period of times, in the same region.
We have seen it here in Italy, where the Emilia Romagna region faced a prolonged and severe drought. This sealed off the soil and made it less absorbent, which contributed to the violent floods that hit the region in 2023.
But water scarcity is more than dramatic draughts. Even in rainy countries like Belgium or the Netherlands, water scarcity is becoming a challenge. And even in Sweden, my home country, water can no longer be taken for granted.
So it is clear that we need to look at how our water is managed.
There are a few places where we can start.
For example, water abstraction permits are a challenge all over Europe. They are often not aligned with how much, or how little, water there is in a river basin.
Water pricing is still barely used to increase efficiency. And we do not talk much about priority use of water.
These are sensitive issues. I am well aware of that. I will always be mindful of our Member States’ right to design their own policies. And I know that some issues are best dealt with at the local level.
But given the challenges we face, I believe that we need to have an honest conversation about water management. With no taboos.
And there is much more to do.
For example, we need to invest more in nature-based solutions.
These are among the most effective and affordable measures available to minimise the damage from both droughts and floods.
Healthy soils are our single biggest reservoir for storing freshwater. Yet more than sixty percent of soils in Europe are degraded. This is a huge risk.
We have to change our perspective on nature and consider it a partner that we need to nurture and work with.
Ladies and gentlemen,
The water situation in Europe is challenging. But I’m not here today to just talk about the problems we face. I also want to talk about solutions.
Because recent success stories show us that we can turn the tide.
Litter on beaches has been reduced by almost thirty percent in Europe. Water consumption in households has decreased by three percent every year between 2017 and 2021. This may not sound so impressive, but three percent means millions of litres saved per year in the EU.
These are important steps forward. They show that the policies we agree on together actually work, but only if we make the effort to really implement them.
This is a clear call for further action. The European Union and all its Member States and regions must do more to ensure the security of its water supply, reduce flood risks, and mitigate drought impacts.
The cost of doing nothing is simply too high.
That is why President von der Leyen has made it a key political priority to develop and implement a comprehensive Water Resilience Strategy. She entrusted me with that task, and I want to present my strategy already before the summer.
More legislation isn’t always the answer. What we need to do first of all is to apply our existing laws better.
On top, we need to integrate water protection aspects in all policy areas. Mainstreaming, as we call it.
Because water has such strong links to the core of our other political priorities. And it is time that our policies reflect that.
Let me give you two clear examples:
First, water is a matter of crisis preparedness and overall resilience.
The severe floods in Italy, Spain, and in Central and Eastern Europe in recent years have demonstrated to us how important early warning systems are.
So, we must ensure quicker recovery and reconstruction after floods.
I am fully aware that all this comes at a cost. This is why, in 2024, the Commission allowed Member States more flexibility to reprogram around eighteen billion euros from various funds to accelerate recovery after floods and wildfires.
Second, water is also about prosperity.
Clean water and pristine beaches are essential for the EU’s tourist industry. Few countries know this as well as Italy.
And the success of our industrial and digital strategies depends on access to clean water as much as it depends on access to affordable energy.
Let’s think about it: thermal power plants need billions of litres of water annually for cooling. And hydrogen consumes ultra purified freshwater as a feedstock.
An average data centre of major tech companies needs 620 million litres of water per year. Car manufacturers and the chemical industry also consume significant amounts of water.
This shows the clear links that water has to our security, to our economy, and to our competitiveness.
And still, the mainstreaming I mentioned is not really happening.
This must change. We need a change of mindset in ALL policy areas affecting water.
So, dear friends,
It is clear that we must rethink our water use system.
One part of the answer is improving water efficiency. We need to think of water like we think of energy. Water efficiency first.
We must also manage water using an integrated source-to-sea approach. Land and sea interact continuously.
Our water cycle comprises both fresh and marine waters, and the coastal areas are the gateway to the ocean.
They can therefore lead the way in ensuring that land-based water pollution does not flow into the marine environment. Addressing pollution at the source is therefore critical.
Ladies and gentlemen,
All of this costs money. And yes, the funding gap is significant. But I am still optimistic.
EU funding, such as cohesion policy, can help. I am discussing this with my colleague Rafaele Fitto. The European Investment Bank is also very engaged in water projects. And we need to look at private sources of finance as well.
Because I am a firm believer that what is good for nature is also good for business. And I am convinced that improving our water system makes economic sense.
It also helps companies gain a competitive edge, through cost savings, adoption of innovative technologies, and improved risk management.
Europe’s water sector is already a global leader. It has the potential to grow further with new technologies like sustainable desalination, advanced water treatment processes, or AI-guided detection of leaks in public infrastructure. And I want our strategy to enable that.
Ladies and gentlemen,
The new Water Resilience Strategy will mark an important step forward. But it will only be the beginning of our journey. We will need to turn our ambitions to reality. And for that we need initiatives like this one, which brings together policymaking, businesses, and thought leaders.
It’s only through constructive and regular dialogue between stakeholders and policymakers that we can deliver this systemic change and structural change of mindset.
Together we are responsible to make sure that our strategy will work not just on paper.
So, I count on your continued involvement and support to share your expertise and insights to help us make Europe water resilient. My door is always open.
I wish you a fruitful meeting.
Grazie.
Source – EU Commission