COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION on guiding principles of water efficiency first

EUROPEAN COMMISSION COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION of 4.6.2025 on guiding principles of water efficiency first Brussels, 4.6.2025 C(2025) 3580 final COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION of 4.6.2025 on guiding principles of water efficiency first THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION, Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 292 thereof, Whereas: (1) Due to unsustainable water management practices, pollution and growing demand, water quality and quantity as well as the health of aquatic ecosystems in the Union are not improving at the pace they should. Climate change and biodiversity loss are exacerbating this trend. Water constraints increasingly affect society and the economy. In this context, increased water efficiency becomes a bare necessity. (2) The Commission report to the Council and the European Parliament1 which presents the progress on the implementation of Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council2 and Directive 2007/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council3 confirms that most Member States perceive water scarcity as a growing concern. Water scarcity occurs in about 34% of the Union’s territory and affects about 40% of the Union’s population during at least one season in a year4. Water scarcity is caused by a combination of overexploitation and climate impacts5. The European Parliament called for action on these matters. 6 (3) Droughts affect on average 4% of the Union’s...