The EU's CommonImplementation Strategy for the Water Framework Directive

Background

Water Framework Directive sets broad guidelines

Cooperation between Member States to strengthen implementation was agreed shortly after the adoption of the Directive.

Why a common strategy?• Challenges widely shared by the Member States

• Demanding timetable

• Complexity of the text

• Diversity of possible solutions to scientific, technical and practical questions

• Ensure efficiency and transparency

Objectives

• Coherence and comparability• Common understanding and approach• Joint efforts and activities• Limit risks of bad application• Share experience and information• Develop guidance • Improve the information management

Water DirectorsSteering of implementation process

Chair: Presidency, Co-chair: Commission

Strategic Co-ordination groupCo-ordination of work programme

Chair: Commission

WG Analysis of pressures and impactsLead: UK ,Germany

WGHeavily modified water bodies Lead: Germany , UK

WG Reference conditions inland surface watersLead: Sweden

WG Typology, classification TCwatersLead: UK, Spain, EEA

WGIntercalibrationLead: JRC Ispra

WGEconomic analysisLead: France, Commission

WGMonitoringLead: Italy, EEA

WGTools on assessment, classification of GroundwaterLead: Austria

WGBest practice in river basin planningLead: Spain

Stakeholders NGO’s, Experts,

etc.

Expert Advisory ForumPriority SubstancesChair: Commission

Expert Advisory ForumGroundwaterChair: Commission

Expert Advisory ForumReportingChair: Commission

WGGeographical Information SystemsLead: JRC Ispra

Shared Information

Published Guidance notes

Lessons learntInformal process steered at political level but with a strong technical development behind it to achieve common understanding Working groups to develop the established work programme with clear deliverables and timetableOwnership: it is a joint process between the Commission and MS Presidency rotation helps sharing the steering of the process among partners; decision making by consensus Broad participation of stakeholders, through an agreed set of criteria, essential for successful water policyPlatform to develop guidance and exchange of information/experiences; as a side effect, but very important, building of networks among experts across the EU, stimulating exchange of experiences also in bilateral/multilateral on issues of common interest

Conclusion

Many possibilities for replicating this Common Implementation approach in the Indian set-up