A sweeping €15 billion investment by the European Investment Bank will fund pollution control, infrastructure, and innovation to tackle worsening water stress across the EU.
Virginia Furness and Kate Abnett report for Reuters.
In short:
- The European Investment Bank will distribute €15 billion in loans between 2025 and 2027 to address water pollution, drought, and inefficient water use, aiming to leverage an additional €25 billion in private investment.
- Funds will support both traditional infrastructure and new technologies, including projects that restore natural water ecosystems or improve water management in urban and agricultural settings.
- The EU Commission also introduced a broader water resilience strategy but dropped previously proposed subsidies for water-saving farm practices.
Key quote:
“Water is not like any other resource, we face huge stress in Europe and across the globe.”
— Jessika Roswall, EU Environment Commissioner
Why this matters:
Water scarcity is no longer a distant threat but a present-day reality for large swaths of Europe. Drought conditions already affect 40% of the continent, stressing cities, farmers, and ecosystems alike. Climate change is intensifying the frequency and severity of droughts, while urban sprawl and industrial farming continue to strain water supplies. In many areas, aquifers are being depleted faster than they can recharge. Clean, reliable water is essential for health, agriculture, and biodiversity — and when it runs short, the poorest and most vulnerable often suffer most. Public investment like this helps build resilience, but the scale of the challenge keeps growing.
Related: Scientists warn of near-term global temperature surge that could test 2C threshold
