EU Water Warning: Roswall Says Scarcity and Extreme Weather Are Becoming the New Normal

European Commissioner Jessika Roswall warned in Berlin that water scarcity and extreme weather are no longer exceptional events in Europe. “Water has become one of the defining strategic issues of our time.” Roswall said water is fundamental not only for nature and health, but also for Europe’s economic security, food security, energy security and industrial security. She warned that droughts, low river levels and extreme heat are already producing major economic losses. According to Roswall, 2026 heatwaves cost Germany around €25 billion. Germany’s hydroelectricity production also fell sharply during the summer, while lower crop yields and reduced river levels affected agriculture, navigation and supply chains. Roswall said the broader economic impact of low water levels in Germany has also been significant. For the European Commission, the conclusion is clear: “We need to address water in a bigger way, in a braver way, in a broader way.” Roswall said water resilience is now a political priority for the Commission, the Council and the European Parliament. She also pointed to the new European Water Initiative and said it must be ambitious enough to reflect the fact that water is directly linked to Europe’s security and competitiveness. The EU wants to focus on greater water efficiency, more water reuse, better drought prevention and stronger cross-border cooperation. Roswall also highlighted the role of digitalisation in modernising water management. The Commission has already launched a Water Resilience Stakeholder Platform and is developing a European Water Academy to strengthen knowledge and skills. Investment is another major part of the strategy. Roswall said more than €40 billion has already been committed to water resilience through existing EU funding instruments, while the European Investment Bank has committed another €15 billion. Germany, she said, has also made major progress through its national water strategy and long-term infrastructure investment. But Roswall warned that Europe cannot wait until rivers run dry or streets flood before acting. “Every year of delay increases the economic, environmental and social costs.” Her final message was…