The National Water Strategy primarily focuses on challenges and the measures needed for the protection and use of inland waters and groundwater, including the relevant impacts of sea level rise related to dike infrastructure and lowland drainage. During the two-year National Water Dialogue, participants developed proposals for a common vision for water management in 2050.
The strategy is divided into 10 strategic themes:
- Protect, restore and ensure a semi-natural water regime for the long term – prevent water scarcity and conflicting goals
- Ensure that land use in rural and urban areas is compatible with water bodies and adapted to the climate
- Further develop sustainable management of water bodies – achieve and preserve good status
- Mitigate risks caused by pollutants
- Further develop water infrastructure adapted to the climate – protect against extreme events and ensure supply
- Link water, energy and substance cycles
- Strengthen efficient administrations, improve data flows, optimise legal frameworks and secure financing
- Intensify protection of marine areas (North and Baltic Seas) from pollutants from land
- Raise awareness of water as a resource
- Work together to protect global water resources for the long term
