Maria da Graça Carvalho, the Portuguese environment minister, visited Brussels to discuss increasing water security across the EU with the European Commission. She emphasized the importance of considering water a financing, political, and EU strategic priority and sought the assistance of the European Investment Bank (EIB) to address the rising challenges of droughts, water scarcity, and floods in Europe. Carvalho, along with 21 co-signatory EU member states, had previously sent a letter to EU Executive Vice-President Maros Sefcovic and Climate Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra urging concrete action to boost water resilience in all dimensions. The initiative was well received by Commission President von der Leyen, who had identified water as an urgent priority for measures to be addressed at the beginning of her second term.
Despite a previous delay in EU action on water scarcity due to anti-green sentiment prior to the EU elections, Carvalho is pushing for concrete steps to be taken on water protection. The Portuguese government is currently preparing a water strategy in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of the Economy. They are also developing an investment plan to propose to the EIB, recognizing the necessity for significant investments in this area. Carvalho highlighted the importance of this investment plan for Portugal, particularly in the area of energy, and expressed hope for progress in addressing water challenges across Europe.
Carvalho also emphasized the importance of the partnership between Portugal and Spain in water policy. Both countries are working on finalizing the Guadiana river project, set to be signed on September 26, which will supply water to the Algarve region. Additionally, there are ongoing projects in Spain related to the Tagus river. The collaboration between Portugal and Spain in water management reflects the shared commitment to addressing water challenges in the region. Carvalho praised the nomination of Spanish environment minister Teresa Ribera for an EU Commissioner position, noting that it would strengthen collaboration in the areas of water and energy.
The meeting between Carvalho and Florika Fink-Hooijer, the European Commission’s chief of the environment department, focused on the need for water to be prioritized in the next EU budget and in cooperation with the EIB. Carvalho stressed the importance of investment in water infrastructure and management practices to address the increasing threats of water scarcity and climate change impacts. By emphasizing the urgent need for action on water protection, Carvalho aims to drive momentum towards concrete measures to enhance water resilience across the EU and ensure sustainable water management practices are prioritized in policy decisions.
Carvalho’s efforts to advocate for water security in the EU reflect a broader recognition of the critical role water plays in environmental and societal well-being. By engaging with key stakeholders at the European Commission and highlighting the importance of water as a strategic priority, Carvalho is seeking to mobilize support for investment in water infrastructure and management initiatives. The collaboration between Portugal and Spain on water projects further underscores the importance of regional cooperation in addressing water challenges. With a focus on securing financing, political support, and EU strategic prioritization for water, Carvalho’s advocacy efforts represent a proactive approach to ensuring water security and resilience across the EU in response to ongoing climate change impacts.
