|
|
Online Newsletter
Sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest news and information from publics.bg
Sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest news and information from publics.bg
News
World news
05.09.2013 14:32Europe Faces Growing Flood Hazard (OECD report)
The 167-page publication, Water Security for Better Lives, calls on governments to speed up their efforts to enhance the effectiveness of water management systems and curb the fallout from increased global demand, and shortages and floods caused by climate change
© avlxyz@flickr,com
In Europe, the outlook for water-related disasters over the coming decades is bleak due to stress on water systems, increased demand and pollution, says a report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
The report coincides with World Water Week, a yearly event by the Stockholm International Water Institute to highlight the global challenges linked to water, EurActiv wrote following the publication of the paper.
The 167-page publication, Water Security for Better Lives, calls on governments to speed up their efforts to enhance the effectiveness of water management systems and curb the fallout from increased global demand, and shortages and floods caused by climate change.
The OECD said that by 2050 40% of the world's population will live in areas of severe water stress.
Globally, the OECD puts the value of the property at risk from floods at some EUR 35 trillion by 2050.
In Europe, water risks came to the fore in the summer of 2013 as much of the continent suffered severe flooding. The overflowing Elbe, Danube and Vltava rivers caused an estimated EUR 3 billion of damage in Germany, the Czech Republic and Austria. Hungary, Poland and Slovakia were also affected.
Following the floods, the European Environmental Agency (EEA) predicted a rise in extreme weather events due to increased population, land-use change and climate change, among other factors.
“Instead of just reacting to water crises, governments must assess, target and manage water risks proactively,” OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurría said in a statement. “We have been forewarned - there is no doubt these risks are increasing. We must now arm ourselves with risk management strategies that will prevent water shortages and pollution and protect against the droughts and floods that are endangering human lives, ecosystems and economies.”
The OECD cites programmes introduced in France in 2002 to prevent flood risk through contracts between central and local governments.
In the geographically diverse central European country, risk prevention plans pinpoint the natural hazards in a given territory based on scientific and local historical data. These assessments, which may include a cost-benefit of potential floods, are attached to land planning documents.
The OECD also flags inadequate water quality as a risk for the European Union, calling for member state compliance with all EU-level standards, for example on chemical substances.
“More stringent requirements are needed for particular uses, such as specific protection of unique and valuable wetland habitats, protection of drinking water resources, and protection of bathing water, for which specific protection zones must be designated,” the report says.
The OECD again makes specific reference to France, which has taken steps to protect drinking water quality, where the protection of water sources is seen as more cost-effective than end-of-pipe water treatment.
All world newsNo published comments
Login to comment
Interview 
Full text
Events 
