The Hottest Summer Ever And The Water Crisis: Building A Sustainable Future

Amidst recent news coverage and the European Parliament plenary session titled ‘The Water Crisis in Europe’, it has become evident that the region is confronting a pressing and urgent water problem. Last year’s record-breaking heatwave, which marked Europe’s hottest summer on record and its second warmest year ever, serves as a stark reminder of the escalating climate challenges. As heatwaves and droughts grow more frequent and extreme, the depletion of water reserves has become a matter of mounting concern for policymakers, business leaders, and the European population alike.

The construction industry in Europe can play a crucial role in addressing this pressing issue by implementing water-saving strategies at every stage of development. Water scarcity not only affects human consumption, agriculture, and energy production but it also poses economic and environmental challenges. According to the National Audit Office, the growing risk of drought from climate change will necessitate an additional 4 billion litres of water per day by 2050. By taking proactive measures to reduce water consumption and improve sustainability, the construction industry can contribute significantly to alleviating Europe’s water crisis and pave the way to a greener and more water-secure future.