SIWI in Brussels: Making Water Central to Europe’s Climate Ambitions
On 24 April, SIWI joined partners from Water Europe, the European Alliance to Save Energy (EU-ASE), and the Polish Federation of Entrepreneurs for an insightful exchange with Astrid Dentler, Deputy Head of Cabinet for Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra, and Willem Jan Goossen from DG CLIMA.
Representing SIWI, Senior Manager Maggie White brought forward a clear message: water must be a central pillar in Europe’s climate and resilience agenda. Without qualitative water governance, even the most ambitious investments in clean technologies and infrastructure will fall short.
“"Water plays a critical role in both adaptation and mitigation efforts and must be part of a just transition. It’s the backbone of climate-resilient development and long-term stability. Robust, well-managed water systems are the foundation of a resilient Europe,””
Water is climate – and climate is water
The conversation focused on the upcoming European Water Resilience Strategy, currently under development. There was strong alignment on the importance of water for climate adaptation and mitigation, with the Cabinet reaffirming that water plays a crucial role in economic, environmental, and social security. The European Commission’s recent Climate Risk Assessment report has helped accelerate momentum, prompting President Ursula von der Leyen to champion a more integrated and systemic approach to water governance.
SIWI’s advocacy included:
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Embedding water-smart finance into climate action
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Scaling up nature-based solutions and urban water resilience
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Championing transboundary water cooperation as a tool for peace and security
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Promoting a green water agenda, especially for forest landscape restoration and rainfed agriculture
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Coordinating around milestones like COP30 and the 2026 UN Water Conference
Looking ahead
SIWI invited the European Commission to actively participate in the Water for Climate Pavilion at COP30 and to share the EU strategy during World Water Week 2025 in Stockholm – a major moment to catalyse partnerships and implementation efforts.
The meeting was part of a broader initiative led by the Water Resilience Coalition—of which SIWI is an active member—to shape the EU’s new mandate (2024–2029) through the development of a European Water Resilience Strategy.This engagement builds on SIWI’s participation in the high-level stakeholder consultation in Brussels on 6 March and its co-leadership in the Water for Climate Pavilion at COP events, fostering coordinated action across the international water community
Join us
Water connects sectors, borders, and solutions. SIWI invites partners, policymakers, and citizens to help elevate water on the climate agenda. Continue the conversation at the Water for Climate Pavilion and stay tuned for post-meeting reflections.
To stay updated on SIWI’s policy dialogues and events, follow us on LinkedIn.
For speaking invitations or media inquiries, please contact coms@siwi.org
Read SIWI’s full contribution to the EU’s call for evidence
Water-smart Forest and Landscape Restoration
The essential drop to Net-Zero: Unpacking freshwater's role in climate change mitigation
The essential drop to Net-Zero: Unpacking freshwater’s role in climate change mitigation
- Agriculture and water
- Transboundary Water Cooperation
- Stockholm Water Prize
