Avoiding stormy waters: how the EU manages shared rivers and water resources?

Climate change and increased demand are leading to greater competition between countries for the planet’s water resources. Nearly half of the world's surface waters are shared by two or more countries, with Europe having the highest number of communal river basins. Many EU countries rely heavily on water that originates outside their borders. For instance, the Danube flows through nearly a dozen European countries, including Germany, Slovakia, Moldova, and Ukraine. This brings issues such as water scarcity, pollution control, flood management and biodiversity protection into sharp focus.  

47% of Earth's surface waters are in river basins shared by at least two countries.

These basins support 40% of the world's population and account for 60% of global river flow.

Of 192 countries, 153 share 310 rivers and lakes, and 592 aquifers.

These water resources serve 2.8 billion people or 42% of the global population.

Europe's numerous transboundary waterways require extensive international and multilateral cooperation. Water availability varies widely across the EU, with energy production being the largest consumer in Central and Western Europe, while agriculture dominates in the south of the continent. Climate change is exacerbating these challenges, with southern European basins facing severe water stress and northern Europe experiencing less snowfall and increased winter river flows. Managing these changes is politically complex, necessitating cross-border cooperation.

Water consumption and availability vary widely across the EU:  

Water availability ranges from less than 400 mm/year in parts of the Mediterranean to over 1,000 mm/year along the Atlantic and Alps.

Energy production is the largest consumer in Central and