Assessment Rhine 2020

The implementation of the "Rhine 2020" programme, which has been ongoing since 2001, involves the further improvement of the Rhine ecosystem, including water quality, the reduction of flood risks and groundwater protection. "Rhine 2020" was supplemented by the resolutions of the Rhine Ministerial Conferences of 2007 and 2013 on the impact of climate change and the issues of low water and plastic waste. The Water Framework Directive and the Flood Risk Management Directive have contributed significantly to the implementation of the International Commission for the Protection of the Rhine (ICPR) programme.

The assessment clearly shows that many objectives of the "Rhine 2020" programme have been achieved or set in motion, but not all the objectives set at that time have been achieved in full. The goals that have not been achieved require further efforts as part of the implementation of the ICPR’s "Rhine 2040" programme. This also applies to new problems in the individual areas of ecology, water quality, flood and low water, taking into account the effects of climate change.