Fondation EurActiv organised for Wednesday 23 June a lunchtime Stakeholder Workshop on the challenges of water management. The workshop was organised with the support of Coca-Cola Europe.

Programme

Water management is crucial to using one of our most precious resources in a sustainable, responsible way – and in particular to securing availability of clean water for humans and the environment. Water quality is high on this year’s political agenda: the UN’s World Water Day (22 March: “Cleaner water for a healthy world”) has highlighted the manifold impacts of water quality on human well-being as well as on ecosystems and biodiversity; meanwhile, policymakers in Brussels are focusing on the revision of the EU’s Drinking Water Directive.

• How can better water management contribute to raising water quality standards?
• What will be the role of waste water management and recycling in returning quality water to the environment?
• How do we ensure that waste water from industrial processes can support aquatic life and agricultural use? How can technology enhance our water efficiency?
• How can purification and desalination contribute to raising quality standards as well as improving access to this natural resource?
• How will the Water Framework Directive impact water management and water quality in Europe? Which stage has transposition reached at national level?
• Which is the best level to provide effective policy responses to water challenges? Do we need global solutions, or is water a regional issue only?

Contributors included:

• Peter GAMMELTOFT, Head of Unit Water, DG ENV
• Anna ROSBACH, MEP
• Salvatore GABOLA, Director European Public Affairs, Coca-Cola Europe
• Dr Neil HAWKINS, VP Sustainability & EH&S, The Dow Chemical Company
• Pieter DE POUS, Senior Policy Officer, European Environmental Bureau

Moderator: Frédéric SIMON, Executive Editor, EurActiv.com

Chair: Ross MELZER, Public Affairs Director, EurActiv.com