“Drought is no longer just a problem of regions in southern Europe. This is why solutions must have a European dimension. The South Moravian Region is one of the most affected European regions in terms of climate change, and by the end of the century the average temperature may rise by as much as 4°C. This development is accompanied by more frequent periods of drought and a decline in water availability in the landscape. That is why I am supporting the establishment of an alliance of regions threatened by the impacts of climate change. This platform would make it possible to respond in a coordinated way to the impacts of climate change, to share solutions for water retention in the landscape, soil protection, and the provision of drinking water.” These remarks were made by Jan Zámečník (CZ/EPP), Vice-President of South Moravia, during a debate on EU matters for local and regional authorities held in the European Committee of the Regions’ NAT Commission.
The aim of the alliance is to jointly promote the interests of regions in European legislation, gain better access to funding and technical assistance, and create a network of experts across Europe. Ideally, the alliance would be established under the auspices of the European Committee of the Regions and would be open to all regions and cities committed to tackling drought and building water resilience.
Zámečník stressed that drought is not a temporary trend – it will persist unless policies and practices change. To prevent drought and its negative impacts on society, it is necessary not only to implement nature-based measures to retain water in the landscape but also to build infrastructure that ensures sufficient quality drinking water for everyone, at all times. Such infrastructure must also be climate-resilient – for example, constructing deep valley reservoirs where water evaporation is minimized.
He went on to present initiatives of the South Moravian Region. “Our region has responded by creating a Climate Action Plan. This plan includes an analytical part based on real-time data, a strategic part, and an action plan of specific measures. The Climate Action Plan has now been updated, and the South Moravian Region also regularly provides financial support for projects aimed at climate change mitigation and adaptation.”
One of the planned measures is the interconnection of water supply systems. A project is already underway to link the South Moravian Region with the Vysočina Region. The objective is to build an interconnected water supply infrastructure that would ensure reliable deliveries in the event local sources run dry.
Another major project addresses drought in the Czech–Austrian border region. One possible solution could be the Danube–Dyje Canal, which would provide sufficient moisture for agriculture. The model for this canal is the existing Marchfeld Canal, which irrigates farmland north of Vienna. Such river connections would bring benefits not only for agriculture but also for the wider landscape. At the same time, they would not disrupt ecosystems, since the Dyje River naturally flows back into the Danube. The project is still under examination.