Ursula von der Leyen, President
Maroš Šefčovič, Vice President Virginijus Sinkevičius, Commissioner
European Commission
Rue de la Loi / Wetstraat 200 1049 Brussels
Belgium
Brussels, 21 February 2024
Subject: Call for a timely adoption of the Water Resilience Initiative
Honourable President,
Honourable Vice President,
Honourable Commissioner,
We, the undersigned Members of the European Parliament, would like to express our deep concern with regard to the information appeared in media outlets, on 15 February 2024*1, alleging that the Commission has suspended its intention to publish the Communication on the Water Resilience Initiative.
This decision comes at great surprise and disappointment especially following Commissioner Sinkevičius’ statement, during the recent parliamentary debate in Strasbourg on 6 February 2024, underlining the “need for better equipping Europe to adapt to the water challenges of today and tomorrow, leaving no one behind” as a rationale for “putting forward a water resilience initiative in March, as announced by President von der Leyen”.
Extreme weather events causing ever more recurrent and prolonged periods of flooding and droughts have been resulting in catastrophic natural disasters we have witnessed all across Europe. Pressure on our water resources is aggravated even further by increased pollution, which is detrimental especially in terms of impacts of climate change on both the water quantitative and ecological status.
We, therefore, call on the Commission to abide by its commitments and adopt in timely manner this much needed Initiative, as foreseen in the Commission work programme published last October.
This Initiative should present a coherent policy tool for boosting water resilience in Europe, which stands as an indispensable precondition for ensuring the human security of our citizens. Any delayed action in this regard is costly and risks to seriously harming our ecosystems, food security, the well-being of our farmers, energy security, and the economic sector in general.
Honourable President,
Honourable Vice President,
Honourable Commissioner,
For the first time on record, the Earth’s warming has surpassed 1.5 degrees Celsius over the span of twelve months. That is indeed, as scientist noted, a “warning to humanity”. Mindful of these facts, we would ask you to consider our request as a matter of urgency.
Please accept, Madam President, Vice President, and Commissioner, the assurances of our highest considerations.
Milan BRGLEZ, S&D
Michal WIEZIK, Renew
Ville NIINISTÖ, Greens/EFA
Matjaž NEMEC, S&D
Manon AUBRY, The Left
Róża THUN UND HOHENSTEIN, Renew Klemen GROŠELJ, Renew
Anja HAGA, EPP
Peter POLLÁK, EPP
Maria ARENA, S&D
Kira Marie PETER-HANSEN, Greens/EFA Margrete AUKEN, Greens/EFA
Dimitrios PAPADIMOULIS, The Left
Irena JOVEVA, Renew
Pernille WEISS, EPP
Carles PUIGDEMONT, Non-attached Members Antoni COMÍN, Non-attached Members
Laura BALLARÍN, S&D
César LUENA, S&D
Christophe CLERGEAU, S&D
François ALFONSI, Greens/EFA
Benoît BITEAU, Greens/EFA
Damien CARÊME, Greens/EFA
David CORMAND, Greens/EFA
Gwendoline DELBOS-CORFIELD, Greens/EFA Karima DELLI, Greens/EFA
Claude GRUFFAT, Greens/EFA
Lydie MASSARD, Greens/EFA
Caroline ROOSE, Greens/EFA
Mounir SATOURI, Greens/EFA
Marie TOUSSAINT, Greens/EFA
François THIOLLET, Greens/EFA
Marina MESURE, The Left
Manu PINEDA, The Left
María Eugenia RODRÍGUEZ PALOP, The Left Vilija BLINKEVIČIŪTĖ, S&D
Sirpa PIETIKÄINEN, EPP
Tonino PICULA, S&D
Dan-Ştefan MOTREANU, EPP
Nora MEBAREK, S&D
Jordi SOLÉ, Greens/EFA
Manuela RIPA, Greens/EFA
*1EU puts water resilience plan on hold as drought grips Spain, Italy. Available at: https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-put-water-resilience-plan- hold-drought-grip-spain-italy/.
Outrage as Commission accused of shelving water resilience plan. Available at: https://www.euronews.com/green/2024/02/15/outrage-as- commission-accused-of-shelving-water-resilience-plan.