During the last years, the EU institutions have been deploying the Green Deal to create a paradigm shift towards a green, resilient, and digitalised Europe. Despite positive developments in the EU legislation, such as the Zero Pollution Strategy, the legislative proposal of the Industrial Emissions Directive and the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive, water-related risks have been underestimated and managed with a fragmented perspective.

As the end of this Commission’s mandate is approaching, it’s time to raise the following question: What’s next? It is believed that Europe must not close the Green Deal chapter but open a second one for a Water-Smart Strategy which will put water – the main natural resource of our society, economy, and environment – at the heart of the next Commission’s programme.

Water Innovation Europe 2023 will aim to shape the European water-related future by offering new perspectives, insights, and the latest updates on water technologies and innovations.