Overview                                                     

Protection of water resources, of fresh and salt water ecosystems and of the water we drink and bathe in is one of the cornerstones of environmental protection in Europe. In Europe, the main policy framework in this field is the Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2000 establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy (or the Water Framework Directive , WFD). The aim of the WFD is to achieve good status in all European waters by 2015. Environmental objectives for each water body are to be set mainly using as a benchmark the status of a water body of a similar type under almost undisturbed natural conditions.

The EU pushed further its efforts in 2002 at the World Summit for Sustainable Development in Johannesburg (WSSD) by launching the European Water Initiative (EUWI) designed to contribute to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and WSSD targets for drinking water and sanitation.

The initiative is conceived as a catalyst and a foundation on which future action can be built to contribute to meeting the water and sanitation MDGs, and is based on a participative multi-stakeholder approach. Various strategic partnerships in specific regions draw together government, civil society, private sector and other stakeholders. A number of working groups has been established, with focuses on both regional/thematic (ex: water supply in Africa) and cross-cutting issues.

The main objectives of the Water Initiative are to:

• reinforce political will and commitment to action,

• promote improved water governance, capacity-building and awareness,

• improve the efficiency and effectiveness of water management through multi-stakeholder dialogue and coordination,

• strengthen coordination through promoting river basin approaches

• identify additional financial resources and mechanisms to ensure sustainable financing

Other relevant initiatives and directives at the European level include the Marine strategy Framework Directive adopted in 2008, which relates to the health of the seas and oceans. The Marine Strategy Framework Directive establishes European Marine Regions on the basis of geographical and environmental criteria. Member states are in change to develop in cooperation with eachother regional management strategies for their waters.

In September 2010, the EC adopted a decision outlining the criteria necessary to achieve good environmental status for Europe's seas.