Philippe Quevauviller

Integration of research advances in modelling and monitoring in support of WFD river basin management planning in the context of climate change

The integration of scientific knowledge about possible climate change impacts on water resources has a direct implication on the way water policies are being implemented and evolving. This is particularly true regarding various technical steps embedded into the EU Water Framework Directive river basin management planning, such as risk characterisation, monitoring, design and implementation of action programmes and evaluation of the good status objective achievements (in 2015). The need to incorporate climate change considerations into the implementation of EU water policy is currently discussed with a wide range of experts and stakeholders at EU level. Research trends are also on-going, striving to support policy developments and examining how scientific findings and recommendations could be best taken on board by policy-makers and water managers within the forthcoming years. This paper provides a snapshot of policy discussions about climate change in the context of the WFD river basin management planning and specific advancements of related EU-funded research projects. Perspectives for strengthening links among the scientific and policy-making communities in this area are also highlighted.

Chapter 1.4:General Features of the EU Water Policy and Related Scientific Framework

Policy orientations rely on scientific evidence and the efficient use of science represents an increasing challenge for the scientific and policy-making community, the private sector, NGOs, citizens associations and professional organisations. The need to improve the role that science plays in envi...

Chapter 5.1:Groundwater Characterisation and Risk Assessment in the Context of the EU Water Framework Directive

One of the primary and key steps within the implementation of the European Union (EU) Water Framework Directive (WFD) is the analysis of the characteristics of groundwater bodies, the review of the environmental impact of human activity and the economic analysis of water use as it is laid down in Ar...

Chapter 5.3:Lessons Learnt and the Way Forward

Various chapters of this book illustrate the extensive discussions about science–policy interfacing that have taken place over the last five years in the water sector. In particular, the Harmoni-CA project1 (described in Chapter 2.4) expressed recommendations linked to uptake of catchment modelling2...

Chapter 5.2:Role of Translators in Science–Policy Interfacing

Making good use of relevant science has always been and always will be a requirement of successful policy making. However, while interaction between scientists and policy makers takes place at various levels in various ways to a greater or lesser extent, there is very rarely an explicit mechanism by...

Chapter 4.1:Principles of the Common Implementation Strategy of the WFD: The Groundwater Working Group

The development of environmental policies is a complex process, which mixes legal requirements with issues of technical feasibility, scientific knowledge and socioeconomic aspects, and which requires intensive multi-stakeholder consultations. In this context, the consideration of scientific progress...

Environmental science and policy: irreconcilable trends or indissociable partners? A focus on science–policy interfacing in the climate and water sector

This frontier review examines the interface between science and policy at international, national and regional levels.

Chapter 5.1:Concept of Interfacing and Perspectives

Environment policies require a sound scientific evidence base to be developed and implemented at international level. Salient examples can be found within the Climate Change community, which managed to efficiently transfer inputs from scientists to policy makers through the Intergovernmental Panel o...

Chapter 6.3:Quality Assurance for Groundwater Monitoring

Groundwater analyses are currently performed in routine and research laboratories for the control of quality of water used for human consumption and of environmental contamination levels according to EC legislation (see Chapter 3.1). A good accuracy is a prerequisite for analysis for achieving a goo...