Warming Europe 'must adapt water strategy'

European countries must start preparing for the water shortages, floods and droughts likely to be brought on by climate change, the EU has warned. As representatives from member states met in Berlin to discuss the impacts of climate change on Europe's water sector this week, Environment Council president Sigmar Gabriel stressed the need to factor climate change into long-term water resource plans across the EU. The symposium precedes an EU Green Paper on adaptation to climate change that the European Commission is to publish by the end of the year. DG Environment director-general Mogens Peter Carl said: "We first have to make more efficient use of available water resources and reduce our consumption before we start tapping new sources." He said the Commission "is considering a range of additional measures, for example a Europe-wide initiative on saving water in all other areas such as private households and industry."