On February 27, the BPI Forum – The Future of Water took place, an event that brought together experts, policymakers, and representatives from various sectors to discuss challenges and solutions for water management in Portugal. During the event, crucial issues regarding water availability, economic value, and sharing were addressed, along with the impact of climate change on the management of this essential resource.
The CisWEFE-NEX project was awarded the National Water Prize. For more information about this recognition, read here.
An Event Marked by the Urgency of Action
The opening session featured an intervention by Erin Brockovich, the American environmental activist and author of Superman’s Not Coming. Brockovich emphasized the need for collective mobilization to tackle water-related challenges, underlining that, even without specialization in the topic, everyone can contribute to better management and protection of this vital resource.
Session 1: Are We Prepared for Too Much Water?
In this session, João Ribeiro Esteves (President of Aveiro Municipality) and Maria da Conceição da Cunha (Professor at the University of Coimbra), focused on the need to bridge knowledge between universities, municipalities, and educational institutions.
Examples of water retention infrastructure were emphasized, highlighting their role in mitigating disasters while creating multifunctional urban natural spaces, such as leisure areas and zones for urban sports. The discussion also reinforced the key role of municipalities in implementing effective measures and using scientific research to support decision-making in water infrastructure and territorial planning.
Session 2: Are We Prepared for Too Little Water?
Speakers António Pina (President of Olhão Municipality and AMAL) and Manuela Moreira da Silva (Professor at the Institute of Engineering at the University of Algarve) emphasized the need for a strategic alignment based on the 5Ps: People, Planet, Peace, Prosperity, and Partnerships.
Solutions discussed included digital tools to integrate citizens into water management by monitoring consumption and encouraging informed decisions. A key challenge mentioned was the lack of regulation regarding the use of groundwater in Portugal, contrasting with other countries where underground water resources are publicly managed.
The session highlighted the urgency of changing mindsets on water use, promoting sustainable practices in cities, and ensuring an integrated and regionalized approach to water management.
Session 3: What Is the Economic Value of Water?
In this session, José de Melo Bandeira (Veolia) and Miguel Gouveia (Catholic University of Lisbon) presented a study on the economic value of water in Portugal.
The study revealed that the country faces significant challenges due to the unequal distribution of water and the impact of climate change. Findings indicated that a real price increase of approximately 25.7% will be necessary, bringing the cost to €3.198 per cubic meter by 2030.
Session 4: Do We Know How to Share Water?
Representatives from the banking, agriculture, hospitality, and water resource management sectors debated the need to develop equitable solutions for sharing water among different economic sectors.
Ana Rosas Oliveira (BPI), Carlos Vicente (Vitacress PT), Cristina Siza Vieira (Portuguese Hospitality Association), and José Pedro Salema (EDIA) agreed that balancing water distribution is crucial to ensure long-term sustainability without harming any particular sector.
Final Session: The Role of Water in the Current Geopolitical Context
The event concluded with a keynote by Paulo Portas (Former Portuguese foreign minister), who discussed the impact of climate change on water availability and the necessity of effective urban and territorial planning.
The importance of innovation was highlighted as a key pillar for addressing water challenges. The upcoming COP30 was also mentioned as a crucial event for updating global climate commitments.
Another key discussion point was the need to prioritize facts over perceptions when addressing water management and scarcity, reinforcing the urgency of concrete measures to ensure a sustainable water future.
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