The future of water: How can Europe fight the climate crisis?

Water is life, but climate change poses a major threat to this precious resource in Europe and beyond.

And as global temperatures rise, harsher droughts are set to further impact supply and access to clean water.

Worldwide, one in ten people don't have access to a clean water source close to their home, which threatens their health and pushes communities into poverty. And with the global population predicted to increase into the second half of the century, competition for water resources is only going to get worse.

More extreme weather events, including flooding, are predicted in the future too, while contaminants such as fertiliser could also make their way into waterways - impacting nature and supply sources for humans.

The fallout of water scarcity for infrastructure and industry is also huge. For sectors like agriculture, which, according to the World Bank Group, uses around 70 per cent of global freshwater, the stakes are high.

But all businesses are under increasing pressure to demonstrate that they are serious about sustainability, including the responsible use and management of water.

This pressure is coming not only from governments and within industries, but also from increasingly green-minded consumers who are not afraid to call out so-called ‘green-washers.’

So, what does this all mean for future water security in Europe and beyond? And how can demand for water be balanced with supply?

As part of Euronews’ Green Week, we’ll be putting these important questions and more to a panel of experts in a special live, virtual debate.

Our panel will be exploring what European governments and industry bodies are doing to mitigate their impacts and how innovation and technology can help to build resilience to water scarcity.

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