The EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) came into force in 2000. It sets environmental objectives for all European surface waters and groundwater. The central element for achieving the objectives are the so-called programmes of measures, which have to be adopted every 6 years since 2009.
For the third management cycle of the WFD (as in the second cycle), the European Commission expected the management plans to be “climate proofed”. Accordingly, they should contain the following elements concerning climate change:
- Steps to improve the information and knowledge base;
- A step-by-step “climate check” of the measures to make the programmes resilient to climate change impacts (science-based, taking into account new data). Particular attention should be paid to the impact of climate change on measures, especially long-term infrastructure measures;
- The inclusion of far-reaching climate-relevant aspects of water and water body management (for example, in connection with land use, demand management);
- The further development of monitoring for more accurate detection of climate change impacts;
- An examination of possible adaptation needs regarding the reference conditions and type allocations.
Fresh Thoughts supported the Administration de la Gestion de l’Eau (Grand-Duché de Luxembourg) in:
- A climate check of the planned programme of measures.
- The update of the economic analysis.