Flood risk management in Europe @ the development of a common EU policy

Abstract

Flooding is a natural phenomenon that only becomes a catastrophic event when human lives or property are affected. During the last two decades, flooding events have become noticeably more frequent in Europe and elsewhere.

In the wake of the floods of 2002, the Environment Council addressed the issue of precautionary and sustainable flood protection. A European initiative on flooding was started and is continuing to develop. This paper tracks and analyses the EU's approach by looking at existing legislation and strategies for extending current policy. It outlines the strengths and weaknesses of the initiative and discusses future options.

Keywords:

• Flooding
• Europe
• legislation
• initiative on flooding
• strategy on flooding
• water framework directive