{"id":149124,"date":"2024-02-08T11:52:20","date_gmt":"2024-02-08T10:52:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cde.ual.es\/?p=149124"},"modified":"2024-02-08T11:52:20","modified_gmt":"2024-02-08T10:52:20","slug":"the-commission-decides-to-refer-spain-to-the-court-of-justice-of-the-eu-for-failing-to-complete-the-revision-of-its-hydrological-plans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cde.ual.es\/en\/the-commission-decides-to-refer-spain-to-the-court-of-justice-of-the-eu-for-failing-to-complete-the-revision-of-its-hydrological-plans\/","title":{"rendered":"The Commission decides to refer SPAIN to the Court of Justice of the EU for failing to complete the revision of its hydrological plans."},"content":{"rendered":"

The European Commission decided to refer Bulgaria\u00a0,\u00a0Ireland\u00a0,\u00a0Spain\u00a0,\u00a0Malta\u00a0,\u00a0Portugal\u00a0\u00a0and\u00a0Slovakia\u00a0\u00a0to the Court of Justice of the European Union for failure to finalise the revision of their river basin management plans, as required under the Water Framework Directive (Directive 2000\/60\/EC<\/a>) and\/or of their flood risk management plans as required under the Floods Directive (Directive 2007\/60\/EC<\/a>).<\/strong><\/p>\n

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The Water Framework Directive focuses on ensuring good qualitative and quantitative health of European water bodies, such as rivers and lakes. It aims to reduce and remove pollution as well as ensure that there is enough water to support at the same time human needs and wildlife. It is an essential part of the European Green Deal and necessary to reach its climate, nature, and pollution reduction targets. Compliance with the Floods Directive is critical for preparedness and management of floods.<\/p>\n

Under the Water Framework Directive, Member States must update and report their river basin management plans every six years. These plans, which include a programme of measures, are key to ensure good status or potential of all water bodies as required by the Directive. Under the Floods Directive, Member States must also update and report their flood risk management plans every six years. These plans are equally key to fulfil the objectives of the Floods Directive, that is to reduce and manage the risks that floods pose to human health, the environment, cultural heritage and economic activity.<\/p>\n

The Commission sent letters of formal notice in February 2023, followed by reasoned opinions in September 2023 to all countries that had failed to update and review these plans.<\/p>\n

Despite some progress, six countries still fail to comply with their obligations under either or both Directives:<\/p>\n