At the Urban Water Resilience debate held during the inaugural EU Water Resilience Forum, Ans Mol, Regional Minister for Climate, Energy and Water Management of the Province of Gelderland (The Netherlands) and member of the European Committee of the Regions’ ENVE Commission, urged European, national and regional policymakers to accelerate coordinated action to secure Europe’s water systems against climate impacts.
Speaking to policymakers, stakeholders and experts from across the EU, Mol underlined that water stress is no longer a future scenario but a present-day reality, particularly in regions like Gelderland. “We are already facing longer periods of drought, declining groundwater levels, and more frequent heavy rainfall. These developments demand a structural and integrated approach,” she stressed.
Mol highlighted how Gelderland is working closely with its 51 municipalities, three water authorities, nature organisations, farmers and knowledge institutions to prepare for these challenges. She called for greater EU support for integrated water management, emphasising the need to connect local pilot projects with European-wide strategies. “Building a resilient water system requires collaboration across all levels of government. Local and regional authorities are already innovating, but we need stronger coordination and investment to scale up what works,” she said.
Mol showcased several examples from Gelderland, including the restoration and improvement of the Baakse Beek water and nature system. “By reshaping watercourses, restoring historic landscapes and expanding wetlands, we are creating a watershed capable of withstanding the effects of climate change while improving water quality,” she noted. She also pointed to urban adaptation projects, such as increasing rainwater storage, installing infiltration swales and expanding green spaces to reduce heat stress. “These practical solutions are easy to scale up and can be shared with other regions across Europe,” she concluded.
CoR strengthens its role: draft opinion on Water Resilience adopted
Mol’s intervention comes as the European Committee of the Regions last week adopted the draft opinion on Water Resilience, with Juan Manuel Moreno serving as co-rapporteur. The opinion calls for a stronger multi-level governance approach to water, recognising the central role of local and regional authorities in implementing the EU Water Resilience Strategy and preparing for climate impacts.
It also proposes the creation of a European Platform on Water Resilience, jointly managed by the European Commission, the European Committee of the Regions, and the European Economic and Social Committee. This platform would:
• monitor implementation of the Strategy,
• enable evidence-based updates,
• facilitate the exchange of good practices, and
• prepare a biennial Water Resilience Forum.
Background: The EU Water Resilience Forum
The first Water Resilience Forum follows the adoption of the European Water Resilience Strategy and brings together policymakers, scientists, industry leaders and civil society to chart a pathway toward a water-resilient Europe by 2050. Organised by the European Commission, in cooperation with the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) and the Committee of the Regions (CoR), the Forum gathers high-level EU representatives, including Commissioner Jessika Roswall.
The Forum addressed Europe’s growing challenges of water scarcity, declining water quality and climate-related pressures. Sessions focused on financing innovative water solutions, strengthening industrial competitiveness through water resilience, and scaling water-efficient measures from local to global action. Special attention was devoted to urban water management, digitalisation and upskilling, all essential for building a water-secure Europe by 2050.