Navigating Forward: Policies for a Water-Resilient Europe
26 June 16:15 - 17:30
Location: Sala Lucrecia Bori
The more and more frequent water-related disasters (i.e. extreme flood events) and chronic water-related and climate-induced stresses (i.e. water scarcity and droughts) are happening across Europe. These are making it clear that water management must be a central pillar for building resilience in the continent. As also mentioned by the European Commission Communication on managing climate risks, “protecting and restoring the water cycle, promoting a water-smart EU economy and safeguarding good quality, affordable and accessible freshwater supplies to all is crucial to ensure a water-resilient Europe.”
However, the European Commission recently delayed the publication of its proposal on the Water Resilience Package and through a joint letter, around 30 stakeholders called on the Commission to urgently move forward with the Water Resilience Law.
This certainly depicts a complex framework where, due to conflicting water uses and priorities, a just transition to a less water-intensive future can be very challenging and highlight low awareness of the topic and low credibility of water resilience science in general.
Recognising the complex above-mentioned social situation and the equally complex jurisdiction over water resources (and water-related threats), this session will explore strategies for building a water-resilient future in Europe. It will do so by bringing together stakeholders from EU institutions, regional and local public authorities and other stakeholders to discuss a possible way forward. The audience will be included in the discussions to raise relevant questions and concerns.
This session is part of the Water resilience and the Blue Economy in and beyond the Mediterranean region stream.
Speakers
Policy officer - Urban environment, European Commission - Directorate-General for the Environment (Brussels)
Alfonso Alcolea MartÍnez, Policy officer - Urban environment, European Commission - Directorate-General for the Environment
Alfonso Alcolea is currently responsible for the European Green Capital and the Green City Accord in the European Commission, within the Unit of Air Quality and Urban Environment of the Directorate-General for the Environment. In the last 20 years he has worked in the water Unit of DG Environment, in the Commission for Environment and Energy of the European Committee of the Regions, in the Valencian Regional Office in Brussels as head of Water and Agriculture, and in the European Parliament. He has a Degree in Law at the University of Murcia and a Master degree of European Policy Studies in the College of Europe in Bruges.
Water Innovation Policy Manager, Water Europe (Belgium)
LoÏc Charpentier, Water Innovation Policy Manager, Water Europe
Loïc Charpentier is the manager of the advocacy program of Water Europe, the European association of the innovative water sector. He also contributes to the communication of EU research & innovation projects on behalf of Water Europe to the European institutions and manages the MEP Water Group’s secretariat. He is also involved in different European research clusters and the chairman of the Policy working group of the ZeroPollution4Water cluster. He is a member of the Brussels Sustainability Club. With a background in law and a master in European studies, Loïc worked previously at the European Association of Research and Technology organisations as policy assistant. In 2017, he received the College of Europe – Arenberg European Prize for its master thesis, a comparative study of the European integration and the creation of the federal states of Indonesia.
President of the Climate Action and Energy Transition Area, Barcelona Province (Spain)
Marc Serra SolÉ, President of the Climate Action and Energy Transition Area, Barcelona Province
Marc Serra Solé was born in Barcelona, Spain. He holds a degree in law and sociology and a Master's in Advocacy from the Illustrious College of Lawyers. He has worked with organizations dedicated to advocating for social and environmental rights. In 2019, he was elected as the Councillor for Citizenship Rights and Participation in the Barcelona City Council, a position he held until May 2023. During his international tenure, he served as the Secretary General of the International Observatory of Participatory Democracy (OIDP) and played a pivotal role in Barcelona's successful bid to become the European Capital of Democracy (2023-2024). Currently, he holds the position of President of the Climate Action and Energy Transition Area and serves as a Deputy for Participation in the Barcelona Provincial Council.
Chief Resilience Officer, The Hague Municipality (Netherlands)
Roos Meilink, Chief Resilience Officer, The Hague Municipality
As Chief Resilience Officer, Roos leads the development and implementation of resilience strategies and initiatives to prepare the city of The Hague for future risks and crises. She is a member of the resilient cities network, which enables her to exchange knowledge and best practices with peers from different cities and regions. Roos holds a Master of Public Administration degree and a bachelor of engineering degree and has nearly 20 years of experience in working on complex societal issues within the public sector. Roos is passionate about resilience as a future-oriented and holistic approach which aims to enhance the capacity of organizations and communities to cope with, adapt to, and learn from unexpected events. She leverages her skills in policy development and public affairs to foster collaboration and innovation across stakeholders and sectors.
Cascais Ambiente
Luís Capão, Cascais Ambiente
Moderator
Senior Expert, Advocacy, ICLEI Europe