Report on the review of the European water scarcity and drought policy

The drought of 2003 has resulted in at least 8.7 billion euros of damage and has affected over 100 million people. As a consequence of this event, the European Commission has developed a Communication on water scarcity and drought that identified 7 main policy options. The progress of these policy options have been assessed on an annual basis. Progress on the implementation of the policy options have been reviewed and has concluded that some policy gaps still exist. In 2012, the policy options did not yet succeeded in reverting trends on water scarcity and drought. The review did make policy recommendations to consider in the new implementation cycle of the Water Framework Directive after 2012.