Water Crisis: a European Plan to be implemented region by region

This study provides a regional cartographic analysis of water constraints in European agriculture, examining agricultural systems, agroecosystem health and hydroclimatic conditions.

The findings show that water challenges vary significantly across Europe, from structural aridification in the Mediterranean to seasonal imbalances and emerging vulnerabilities in Northern and Central Europe. This diversity makes a one-size-fits-all response inadequate.

The study therefore calls for a strong European strategy implemented through differentiated regional approaches, while recognising that healthy soils and agroecosystems are essential to maintaining the wider water cycle and strengthening Europe’s hydroclimatic resilience.