Water-Smart Strategy
Waterson Technologies (Techstars '22)
Waterson Technologies develops Artificial Intelligence solutions for applications in water quality monitoring.
The EU's Imperative for a Water-Smart Strategy
In recent years, the importance of water to our society, economy, and environment has never been more evident. Water, often called the "elixir of life", is facing unprecedented challenges, with water scarcity affecting a significant portion of the European territory. This article summarise Water Europe MANIFESTO?of "The European Union needs an ambitious Water-Smart Strategy"? to highlight the pressing need for the EU to adopt an ambitious Water-Smart Strategy.
Water Europe’s Role in Championing Water Innovation
Serving as a guiding light in the realm of water-related innovation, research, and technology development, Water Europe (WE) holds a pivotal role in promoting sustainable water solutions across Europe. Recognized by the European Commission as a European Technology Platform, robust community comprises over 250 members, each contributing significantly to the innovative water ecosystem. Their collective efforts are driven by WE's Water Vision, which is steadfast in its commitment to building a Water-Smart Society.
The Urgency of the Situation
The data is alarming: the European Environment Agency has reported that in 2019, water scarcity affected 29% of the EU territory during at least one season. This not only disrupts individual domestic use but severely compromises the economic activities across all sectors.
Moreover, the cross-sectoral water risks are estimated to potentially erase a staggering USD 5.6 trillion from the global GDP, casting shadows of uncertainty over sectors like insurance and banking. The message is clear: Europe isn't immune, and water must ascend as a top priority for the European Union.
领英推荐
Towards a Water-Smart Europe
The call to action is simple yet ambitious: the EU needs to overhaul its water governance. This involves:
Furthermore, a Water-Smart Strategy is integral for Europe's competitive standing globally, especially when considering energy and critical raw material strategies. The EU's investments in sectors like semiconductors, digital infrastructure, and hydrogen production underscore the economic significance. Yet, the water consumption in these sectors, often overlooked, is immense and necessitates a water-smart approach.
The Road Ahead
The impending water crisis is looming, with the World Resource Institute predicting a concerning 56% gap between water supply and demand by 2030. The security of sectors like semiconductors, batteries, and hydrogen productions are jeopardized without a strategic water management plan.
Water is not just a resource; it's the lifeblood of our economies, societies, and ecosystems. As Water Europe rightly emphasizes, water matters. It's high time policymakers adopt a holistic European Water-Smart Strategy with strategic political accountability for the upcoming term of 2024-2029.
Data source: Water Europe
Link to the document: https://watereurope.eu/wp-content/uploads/Manifesto-EU-Water-Strategy.pdf
Head of Business Development at IMATECH, supporting renewable energy and sustainability projects.
10 个月This article is very interesting, but I have been fighting for water efficiency for more than 15 years. Specifically, in the cooling water of condensing steam turbines and in the elimination of steam plumes, recovering water in Spain by means of #ciclohigroscopico #HCT technology. The truth is that people only invest in technologies like ours when they don't have water, the reason being that the m3 of water is free, at least in Spain. If water doesn't start to have an impact on costs, little can be done, except when you don't have it. For this reason, charging for the use of water in Industry and Energy is of paramount importance so that technologies like ours can help a more sustainable society.