New NGO report says more concrete is no solution for Europe`s rivers

A new study published this week by environmental groups European Environmental Bureau (EEB) and WWF reports that the major causes of Europe's poor water quality are at risk of being totally ignored. While governments across Europe are increasingly busy preparing a major water policy overhaul by 2009, climate change impacts such as increasingly extreme floods and droughts underline the need for major changes in the way Europe's water is managed are more urgently needed than ever before.

The draft river basin management plans, which must be completed by the end of 2008, will be subject to public consultation during 2009. The NGO study concludes that Europe's citizens have thus far been given no real avenue for participating in decision-making related to this issue and calls on national governments to urgently step up their efforts to involve their citizens in these discussions.