INE contribution to the European climate resilience and risk management initiative
08 September 2025
Inland waterways are essential to Europe’s economy, society and environment. They provide transport and logistics for industry, safeguard drinking water, supply water to industry and agriculture, support energy generation, protect biodiversity, and mitigate floods. Yet these multi-functional systems are increasingly exposed to the cascading risks of climate change including droughts, floods, infrastructure damage and ecosystem stress. Adverse effects in inland waterways quickly permeate supply chains, industrial competitiveness, food and energy security, and public health, making them an indispensable part of Europe’s resilience.
Despite their strategic importance, inland waterways remain underprepared for the climate risks at hand. Gaps in governance, investment, and coordination continue to hinder effective adaptation. To safeguard critical infrastructure and ensure resilience, the EU must adopt a comprehensive policy framework that:
- Integrates waterways into resilience strategies and frameworks across sectors and borders by recognising the system-level interdependencies and interconnectedness between infrastructure, economy, livelihoods and the natural environment.
- Invests in research, innovation, and development to improve monitoring and adaptive capacity
- Prioritises adaptive planning, allowing for phased, flexible implementation that can effectively respond to evolving risks and knowledge
- Mobilises financing and flexible instruments to strategically fund programmes and projects in both the near and long term.
An EU-level strategy rooted in better institutional coordination, adaptive planning and flexible financing will allow for effective collaboration among stakeholders across sectors and borders. In the wake of accelerating climate change, prompt policy action is fundamental to Europe’s overall competitiveness, security, and resilience.
Read the full contribution here.
