Editorial
A new hydrological reality calls for new solutions
As this exceptional summer draws to a close, its message could hardly be clearer. Extreme hydroclimatic events are no longer exceptional. Record heat, persistent drought, exceptionally low river flows and wildfires have once again affected large parts of Europe. The latest observations from the Copernicus European Drought Observatory (link here) show drought conditions remaining critical across much of the continent, reminding us that we have entered a new hydrological reality.
This reality makes our collective work more necessary than ever. We need to reduce our environmental and climate footprint, adapt faster, strengthen our resilience to droughts, floods and other extremes, while ensuring that water scarcity does not become a brake on Europe’s competitiveness and prosperity.
Europe needs water research and innovation more than ever. We need science that translates into solutions, innovation that reaches territories and users, and new ideas that challenge the way we manage and value water. We also need to engage young people, giving the next generation the space to be creative, ambitious and bold.
Our challenge is clear: to develop nature-positive, water-smart solutions that allow us to live better with less water, use resources more wisely and reduce our environmental footprint.
This is the ambition that drives Water4All and the message we will continue to carry together, from World Water Week in Stockholm to the UN Water Conference and beyond.
Benjamin LOPEZ - CEO
Water4All Activities
Water4All Network
The Water4All Partnership - Water Security for the Planet - is a funding programme for scientific research in freshwater. It aims to tackle water challenges to face climate change, help to achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and boost the EU’s competitiveness and growth.
It is co-funded by the European Union within the frame of the Horizon Europe programme (a key funding programme for research and innovation). The Partnership duration is for seven years from 2022.
The Water4All objective is to enable water security at a large scale and in the long term. Its goal is also to tackle water issues in a holistic frame.
All forms of life on earth need water. All human activities operate with this resource. Water is part of our everyday life. It is also integrated within urban and countryside landscapes. It is one of the most valuable elements we share with plants and animals.
These simple facts must be kept in mind to understand the Water4All ambition.
This resource is weakened in many places due to climate changes, and human habits. We know that we can improve the way we use water. Everyone has a role to play and especially the scientific research community.
Scientific research is the heart of the Partnership as It is a powerful tool to improve knowledge on preserving, restoring, and managing this essential resource.
International cooperation is also needed as water has no borders on Earth and runs from one country to another.
Water4All brings together a broad and cohesive group of 90 partners from 33 countries in the European Union and beyond. This consortium gathers partners from the whole water Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) chain.