This background report supports the aim of the European Commission to establish a better understanding of drought impacts and risks for different sectors of society, raise awareness amongst all water stakeholders regarding the increased risk of drought due to climate change, exchange information on effective options for dealing with drought risk and steer discussion towards a harmonised approach at the European level. It has been developed based on individual Member State assessments of the corresponding legislation, planning and management, including the latest available versions of (draft) River Basin Management Plans in spring 2022.

Key findings from the publication include:

In 10 EU MS by a law adopted as primary legislation by Parliament; however, these laws often only include a very brief mention of drought or enable further regulatory development.
In 7 of these 10 EU MS, primary legislation is further detailed by subsidiary legislation and/or backed by additional or emergency legislation. •
In 2 EU MS (Germany, Latvia), on the contrary, there is only emergency legislation in place. Stock-taking analysis and outlook of drought policies, planning and management in EU Member States 9
No legislation is yet in place in 8 EU MS: Austria, Estonia, Finland, Croatia, Ireland, Luxemburg, Slovenia and Slovakia.