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Research project

EU Water Sector Investment Needs and Gaps Assessment

This project supports the European Investment Bank by closing key knowledge gaps in assessing investment needs and financing requirements to strengthen water resilience across the EU. It covers the costs of implementing EU water legislation, upgrading and replacing infrastructure, restoring ecosystems, and supporting water-use sectors facing climate, societal, and political risks.

The research study is funded by the European Investment Bank.

The research aims to bridge existing knowledge gaps in evaluating investment requirements, financing needs, and funding efforts in the European Union to ensure water resilience. This includes both the implementation of the EU water acquis and the assessment of additional resources required to strengthen water resilience in the public and private sectors.

The project will consider, inter alia: (i) the implementation of the water acquis, including regulatory, monitoring, and administrative costs; (ii) investments in water and wastewater services infrastructure, including both new infrastructure and the replacement of capital assets, as well as ecological and ecosystem restoration; (iii) investment needs for water-use sectors such as agriculture, industry, and energy, particularly in the context of increasing climate change impacts and water risks; and (iv) investments for flood risk prevention and management.

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