An Environmental Focus on Drought: The Water Framework Directive

Abstract

Since the 1970s the European Union has maintained a programme for protecting the environment. In the development of this aim the Union began the 21st century unveiling a new legal framework related to its policy for water resources, the Water Framework Directive (Directive 2000/60/EC). The purpose of the protection of water resources established by the Water Framework Directive is set out in a series of general objectives and in some other more concise ones termed “environmental objectives”. The requirement to achieve the environmental objectives is not absolute and certain conditions exist which could permit a temporal suspension of their fulfilment. This paper analyzes the drought conditions that may constitute a short-term exception to the fulfilment of the obligations set out in the Water Framework Directive.