Brussels: The European Union is now racing to craft a continent-wide water resilience strategy to combat rising temperatures, prolonged droughts, and surging demand.

A stark warning has emerged from across Europe as declining water levels raise alarms for farmers and policymakers alike. The European Union is preparing to unveil a comprehensive water resilience strategy this June, aimed at ensuring long-term access and sustainable use of water resources across the bloc.

Malta—Europe’s driest country—illustrates the growing crisis. With no rivers or lakes, little rainfall, and a population of over 563,000, the Mediterranean island depends on desalinated seawater for nearly two-thirds of its drinking supply. Tourists outnumber locals six to one annually, straining resources further. Yet through investments in smart meters, leakage control, and wastewater reuse, Malta has managed to stave off shortages—for now.

But as temperatures soar and climate patterns grow more erratic, the European Environment Agency warns that Malta’s water woes may soon spread. Currently, around 20% of Europe experiences water stress each year. That number is expected to climb drastically, with water demand projected to double by 2050.

“Europe is facing a worsening water crisis that threatens industry, agriculture, ecosystems, and Europeans’ right to water,” said Luc Charpentier, head of policy at Water Europe. He noted that once-rare droughts and heatwaves are now annual events, hitting Central, Eastern, and Mediterranean Europe the hardest. In 2024, the continent witnessed record-breaking temperatures and vanishing water reserves.

A major climate risk report published in March 2024 by the European Environment Agency underscores the urgency. It detailed how extreme weather is already disrupting food systems, ecosystems, health, and economic activity—an impact expected to intensify.

He also noted that drought and extreme heat could “exacerbate existing risks and crises, leading to water and food insecurity, disrupting vital infrastructure, and threatening financial markets and economic stability.”

The European Commission is scheduled to present its water resilience strategy in June after it was removed from the agenda ahead of the 2024 European Parliament elections following farmers’ protests and right-wing criticism of the EU’s ambitious climate plans.

The strategy is expected to focus heavily on efficiency, water reuse, and technical solutions, particularly in water-dependent sectors such as industry and agriculture.

“We want to address the root causes of water challenges, including pollution, scarcity, and the impact of climate change,” European Commissioner for Environment and Water Resilience Jessica Roswall said in her speech to the European Parliament in early May, highlighting plans to “strengthen the competitiveness of the EU water industry.”