The most relevant news from European Institutions in January 2023 regarding the water and wastewater sector
Zero pollution: Improved quality and access to drinking water
- New requirements on the quality of and access to drinking water are becoming the norm across the European Union, with the revised Drinking Water Directive now transposed into national legislation
uwwtd data from 2022
- Provisional data reported in 2022. Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive concerns the collection, treatment and discharge of urban wastewater and the treatment and discharge of waste water from certain industrial sectors.
Main Horizon Europe work programme 2023-2024 – Approved
- The European Commission (EC) has recently adopted the ‘main’ Horizon Europe work programme 2023-2024, including the Annex for Cluster 6 regarding environment and water. The main Horizon Europe work programme, 2023-2024, includes around €13.5 billion to support European researchers and innovators to pursue breakthrough solutions for environmental, energy, digital and geopolitical challenges.
environment council meeting – 20 December 2022
- EU environment ministers held a policy debate on 20 December 2022 on a proposal for a nature restoration regulation. In addition, ministers were briefed on the zero-pollution package that includes proposals to revise legislation on urban wastewater treatment and were provided information on the preparation for the UN water conference.
fit for 55′ package, a provisional deal
- The Council of the EU and the European Parliament reach a provisional deal on the EU emissions trading system and the Social Climate Fund of the “Fit for 55” Package. The legislative proposals will further reduce emissions and address their social impacts. However, the deal is provisional pending formal adoption in both institutions.
“Advancing towards climate resilience in Europe” – EEA Report
- The European Environment Agency (EEA) has published a report which assesses the state of national adaptation actions in 2021. The report finds that EU Member States are progressing in climate adaptation to boost resilience.
SWEDISH PRESIDENCY OF THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION
- Sweden took over the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU on 1 January. The Swedish presidency is the last in the current presidency trio, following France and the Czech Republic, and marks the last chapter of the common 18-month presidency programme.
- What do Swedish Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) expect from the coming six months of the Swedish Council Presidency?