Effects of drought on Mediterranean regions
15.8.2024
Question for written answer E-001512/2024
to the Commission
Rule 144
Leire Pajín (S&D)
In Europe, and particularly in the Mediterranean Member States, we are seeing the early effects of climate change, i.e. excessive increases in temperatures and a continued lack of rain, which have significantly affected our way of life.
In Spain, for example, Valencia has been experiencing the driest hydrological year on record, to the degree that the agricultural and farming sectors are facing losses of over EUR 250 million as crops and livestock are being lost while production cost overruns are increasing. Tourism, another mainstay of the region’s economy, has also been affected.
In addition, the lack of water caused by the drought has led to a deterioration in living conditions, not only in relation to economic losses, redundancies, the population's food supply and nutrition levels, but also to energy production and air quality. Droughts have obviously also affected the quantity and quality of drinking water available.
- 1.In light of the above, when will the European Commission present its water resilience strategy?
- 2.Will the Commission put in place any financial mechanisms to address the effects of the drought in the most affected sectors?
Submitted: 15.8.2024