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Science - policy interface

Program co-leads:
Alan Gilmer (TU Dublin) and Johannes Cullmann (BfG)

Kukkolankoski rapid of Torniojoki river Photo Riku Lumiaro Finnish Environment Institute Syke

©Syke

The Science-Policy working group in EurAqua seeks to bridge the gap between science and policy to support sustainable water management.  This initiative integrates the EU consultation process which emphasizes a collaborative and multidisciplinary science-based policy platform to enhance water resilience.

The Science-Policy working group program seeks to address:

  1. The nature of Evidence-Based Policy: Providing scientific expertise to inform EU water policies (e.g., Water Framework Directive, Biodiversity Strategy, Green Deal, Zero Pollution Action Plan).
  2. Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM): Promoting holistic approaches to freshwater conservation, including climate adaptation and pollution control.
  3. The Promotion of Sustainable Water Allocation & Nexus Governance: Including transboundary water-sharing frameworks and nexus approaches (water-energy-food-ecosystems) to prevent over-exploitation.
  4. Ecosystem Resilience: Advancing research on freshwater biodiversity, habitat restoration, and ecological status assessments.
  5. Emerging Challenges: Addressing new threats like chemical pollution control, PFAS, microplastics, pharmaceuticals, and climate change impacts on water systems and the promotion of circular water economies (e.g., resource recovery from wastewater).
  6. Stakeholder Collaboration: Facilitating knowledge exchange between scientists, policymakers, and practitioners for effective water governance.
  7. Novel approaches to water quality control: Including Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) and the mainstreaming and upscaling of NBS through policy incentives in regional/municipal planning to enhance climate resilience.
  8. Water-Climate Synergies for Net Zero: Highlight water management’s role in reducing emissions (e.g., via wetlands restoration, sustainable agriculture).
  9. Monitoring & Innovation: Supporting advanced monitoring tools, data harmonization, and digital solutions (e.g., AI, remote sensing) for water management.

Cross-Cutting Themes:

  • Policy Coherence: Embed water resilience across all EU policies (e.g., agriculture, energy).
  • Equity & Inclusion: Ensure water access and benefits for ecosystems and vulnerable communities.