VIDEO: Water scarcity is a global challenge requiring local solutions - European Commission
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Environment
  • News article
  • 27 March 2025
  • Directorate-General for Environment
  • 1 min read

The Road to Green 15: Water scarcity – a global challenge requiring local solutions

The latest episode of Euronews’ series examines how the EU is helping to boost water security at home and abroad.

An old metal water tap in a dry surrounding
© posteriori, Getty Images

At a global level, water resources are under increasingly severe pressure. Competition for dwindling freshwater resources threatens stability among and within nations through conflicts, displacements, and migration. In Europe, water scarcity affects 30% of Europeans each year. 

The EU has been at the forefront of global water action, contributing to water resilience and security in Europe and worldwide. It has been helping its neighbours to address water challenges through funding, guidance, partnerships and knowledge sharing. 

In this episode, Euronews travels to Jordan, one of the most water-scarce regions in the world. To help increase freshwater access and mitigate challenges to supply, the EU is co-funding several key projects. Euronews examines projects including the expansive Aqaba-Amman desalination plant and the creation of six wastewater treatment plants across Jordan.  

Euronews then travels to Cyprus, where desalination cannot meet demand. Here, the EU is promoting wastewater reuse, innovation in water treatment, and increased water efficiency.  Farming is a sector that can use the treated wastewater, as shown by a local treatment plant, which provides water for irrigation purposes. 

The upcoming European Water Resilience Strategy aims to ensure that all users have a clean and sufficient water supply. It will promote efficiency and aims to increase water reuse and circularity through sector-wide investment and innovation.   

Watch the latest episode of 'The Road to Green' below to find out more.

Watch on Euronews here

Watch previous episodes from 'The Road to Green'

Disclaimer

DG ENV co-finances the production of the Road to Green, while Euronews retain full editorial independence. Views and opinions expressed in the programme are solely those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of the European Commission or any other entities.

Details

Publication date
27 March 2025
Author
Directorate-General for Environment

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