The 2022 European Drought Needs to be a Turning Point for Drought Risk Management: An Overview from Drivers to Impact and Management

The summer of 2022 marked a turning point for Europe as the largest drought in centuries unfolded, with dire consequences for livelihoods and ecosystems all across the continent. High temperatures and prolonged record-low precipitation underscored the event. The ensuing heatwaves in May, June, and July intensified water uptake, exacerbating conditions all across the continent, and causing secondary hazards, such as wildfires and landslides.

This research offers a comprehensive overview of the 2022 European drought, reconnecting the physical drivers of the drought, to its societal and ecological impacts, and the drought risk management measures implemented by water managers across the continent. To do so, this study relies on a survey submitted to water managers all across the continent. The survey gathered 487 responses from 30 European countries, predominantly from public and governmental organizations, making it one of the largest datasets on response to this event to date. The study shows that while Southwestern Europe bore the initial brunt, the whole continent endured protracted effects. Water managers across Europe almost unanimously acknowledged that the risk of drought is increasing and that its management is becoming more crucial year after year.

Based on the collected data we identified a correlation between increased awareness and improved preparedness post 2018-2019 drought. Yet, while awareness of drought risk is growing rapidly, preparedness lags. Additionally, despite the upward trajectory of drought preparedness, challenges persist in managing large-scale events. Differences among countries are significant, underscoring the need for European-wide coordination.

The type of measures taken varied by region and sector. In particular, water managers in Southern Europe, where agriculture is more prevalent, focussed on water supply-side measures, showing an imperative to preserve business-as-usual operations even in the face of water scarcity. On the other hand, water demand management was more common in Central and Western Europe. Long-term and transformative measures and ecosystem-based measures remain underused, underscoring how drought risk management remains largely responsive and event-focused. As droughts transcend borders, pan-European coordination is paramount to ensure effective drought risk management and address disparities in capacity across countries.