X
GO

Publications

ECRR Technical Newsletter 2 - 2021, July

ECRR Technical Newsletter 2 - 2021, July

 

The symposium highlighted the changes to rivers and specific actions that have been brought about  by the European Legislation, particularly the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD), which was recently confirmed as being fit for purpose. The  emphasis was on improved implementation in quantity and quality, better progress and increased  attention to eco-hydro-morphological conditions and measures. Besides, the focus of this year’s  Symposium was on the possibilities and opportunities presented by the EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030 and the EU Green Deal.

The symposium ranged from presentation of high-level policy briefs and dialogue in panels with direct implementers and practitioners. Special focus was  placed on alignment and exploration of interests between water users (water supply,  navigation, agriculture, and hydropower) and conservation and planning and management authorities.  Case studies and examples were explored in more detail in these groups.  

The results of the conference presented in this newsletter, in a narrative form, offer new hope that the  condition and health of rivers can be improved. The right use of legal and legislative tools, the available  funding opportunities, together with dialogue and cooperation between sectors and with stakeholders  and the public, all using and affecting rivers is the way forward. This challenge is to be addressed at the  local, regional, and national levels. Promotion of healthy ecosystems, green infrastructure and nature-based solutions, capacity and resource development should therefore be systematically integrated in  policies and planning, specifically in urban areas.