Brussels, Sept. 3, 2023 (Lusa) - Portugal's environment minister said on Tuesday that water would be a priority for the next European Commission, following her letter to the government on the need to prioritise it.
"Everything leads us to believe this water area will be a major priority [in the next European Commission]. For us, it is crucial because we need a lot of investment," Maria da Graça Carvalho told journalists in Brussels after several technical meetings on the subject.
The environment and energy minister added that she had confirmation that "water will play an important role in one of the portfolios of one of the commissioners" of the next government.
Asked where this priority might go in the next European Commission, whether it will have a dedicated commissioner or whether it will remain attached to the Environment portfolio, Maria da Graça Carvalho said she knew nothing about the composition of Ursula von der Leyen's next executive and that any comment would be speculation.
"We don't need more legislation," she acknowledged, adding that what is needed is to secure funding so that water is prioritised and the projects that have been considered can come to fruition.
According to a letter addressed by Portugal and 20 other countries in July, the minister called for water to be a priority during the next legislature and "for this commitment to be materialised through comprehensive actions at EU level, including adequate and effective funding, the promotion of innovation, evidence-based decision-making processes and the strengthening of international cooperation".
The minister, the first signatory of the letter, warned of the "increasing frequency and intensity of droughts, floods and water scarcity across Europe".
"According to the European Environment Agency, around 20% of Europe's territory and 30% of its population suffer from water stress yearly. The associated economic cost is estimated at €9 billion a year and could reach €65 billion by the end of the century, without even accounting for the environmental damage," she said.
In her letter, the minister highlighted the increase in the frequency and intensity of droughts, floods and water scarcity across Europe, emphasising that "the losses are felt mainly in agriculture and food systems, in the energy sector and public supply".
Concerning floods, "a study published by the European Commission in 2021 estimated the total costs of mitigating flood risks for 2016-2021 to be at least €14 billion", she added.
The document also noted the need for greater coordination at the European level, covering water in all its dimensions: freshwater and saltwater resources, ecosystem protection, human consumption, agriculture and food systems, energy and industries.
She also emphasised the importance of research and innovation in the water sector, which is necessary to "find new solutions to tackle water scarcity, as well as improve existing ones".
"This document underlines the importance of scientific research and the need to strengthen funding in these areas, through traditional financial instruments, but also through innovative ways that can mobilise private investment," said the minister in the statement released by the Ministry.
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania and Slovenia also sign the letter.
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