Filenews 17 December 2023 - by Elias Matsas
Green growth and the smooth transition to it dominated strongly in previous years, despite the fact that developments in Ukraine and perhaps the crisis in Gaza, negatively affecting energy management and fuel costs, in conjunction with the continuing high cost of living, may lead to a delay in the implementation of all transitional arrangements.
For the purposes of this article, the consideration of the risks of further procrastination in promoting green growth will not be developed, despite the fact that the need should be highlighted, as a point of reference, either to promote compensatory measures to citizens at the same time, or to slow down or even temporarily suspend measures in a controlled manner, so as to prevent further burdening society.
The recent plenary debate of the European Economic and Social Policy (EESC), on the prospect of promoting the European Blue Deal, confirms on the one hand the need for strengthening measures in relation to green growth and, on the other hand, the possibility that exists, through a coordinated dialogue, between all EU structures, to create another targeted agreement. with environmental, social and deterrent in relation to possible geopolitical conflicts, orientations.
Economic transition and social transition
The principle that there can be no economic transition without a corresponding social transition has emerged for several years now, so that green growth is fair and does not create further social disintegration. The President of the European Economic and Social Committee and former President of the ESC Workers' Group, Oliver Roppke, points out that "there can be no green without the condition of blue", in an associatively targeted highlighting of the role and contribution of blue growth and in particular the blue deal, in linking the smooth transition to the new era, with all the components of reform and development, economic, environmental, climate, energy, employment and social.
Unlike green growth, combating the problems linked to water depletion has not yet received the full political importance it deserves. Water pressure and stress created by the mismatch between demand and supply are a huge and growing concern in Europe.
In one of my postgraduate theses in the mid-90s, in Euro-Mediterranean geopolitical development, the danger that can arise from the shortage, reduction or even the need to manage and control water resources was highlighted, as one of the basic components of geopolitical strategy, in relation to the creation of local, regional or generalized conflicts and military confrontations. especially in our wider "neighbourhood" and more specifically in the areas where the dams and rivers of the Tigris, Euphrates and Nile are located, as well as Aswan in Egypt and Atatürk and GAP in Turkey, affecting, among others, countries such as Israel, Syria and Sudan. The geostrategic importance of water and its adequate management is confirmed through the historical reference that the ancient civilizations of Mesopotamia and Egypt were destroyed when the conflicts over water management began.
As unrealistic as it may sound, according to the European Environment Authority (EEA), around 20% of Europe and 30% of Europeans are affected by water stress and pressure. Undoubtedly, Europe needs to change course and take measures to prevent water poverty, which will inevitably have negative consequences for economic, social and political stability.
Central reference points in the effort to create smart aquatic societies, in line with environmental, energy, technological and other smart societies, should be water efficiency, resilience and adequate management.
As already noted, the Green Deal, which cannot be questioned by anyone, cannot be implemented without the corresponding Blue Deal. To this end, a timely and holistic approach is needed in relation to water resources, drinking water and the entire ecosystem as it is, for example, an important element of energy production, ocean protection and water loss and waste management, while at the same time, their contribution to industry, agriculture and energy production reaches 90% of total water management.
It is worth noting that, despite the initiatives taken by the EU, both in the legislative framework and in specific actions, the results are very limited, mainly due to lack of funding, while the integration of environmental objectives into sectoral policies is similarly limited and insufficient.
The Water Action Agenda
Despite the UN intervention to reinstate the Water Action Agenda, the European Council's recognition of the need for global action and the promotion of a European strategy on water security in March 2023, the tools available are limited and the issue is not sufficiently integrated into all European policies. Even the European Parliament's call on the European Commission to set guidelines for managing river beds and ensuring balanced prioritisation between water uses has not worked.
Against this background, the European Economic and Social Committee is promoting its opinion on the European Blue Deal, asking the European Commission to highlight the issue as a strategic priority through its recommendation for the creation of the European Blue Deal, which will operate independently but also in synergy with the European Green Deal and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Water management is urgent
At a time when the EU is trying to upgrade its social intervention and highlight its social dimension, sensitivity and priority, especially as a reference point and in relation to the upcoming European elections, the issue of adequate water management becomes even more topical. Its link to the European Pillar of Social Rights and the reference to Principle 20 on preventing water-linked poverty further arms the sensitive social chords.
The strategy to promote the European Blue Deal should include access to clean and affordable water, the creation of sustainable and resilient water infrastructure, including the strengthening of the legislative framework, adequate funding of the Agreement, recognizing water as a strategic priority issue for the programming period 2028-2034 and, of course, including this commodity, the EU foreign policy pillar, on the basis of blue diplomacy.
*Secretary General of SEK
