EU policy brief urges stronger backing for nature‑based sponge restoration

European Union officials have released a new policy brief that calls for tighter integration of nature‑based solutions into climate‑resilience strategies, with a particular focus on restoring the continent's natural "sponges" – wetlands, floodplains and other water‑holding landscapes.

The document highlights mounting pressures on Europe’s water and climate systems, noting that soil degradation, drained river catchments and the disappearance of wetlands have amplified both drought severity and flood intensity. By absorbing excess rainfall and slowly releasing water during dry spells, restored sponges can mitigate these extremes, yet current policies often overlook their potential.

Drawing on findings from three EU‑funded research initiatives – SpongeBoost, SpongeWorks and SpongeScapes – the brief outlines practical steps for policymakers. Recommendations include revising agricultural subsidy schemes to reward farmers who re‑wet drained lands, allocating dedicated funding streams for large‑scale wetland rehabilitation, and embedding sponge‑related targets within the EU Water Framework Directive and the European Green Deal.

Experts involved in the projects stress that the approach aligns with broader EU objectives, such as biodiversity conservation, carbon sequestration and flood risk reduction. By treating wetlands as multifunctional assets rather than obstacles to development, the brief argues that member states can achieve cost‑effective climate adaptation while delivering ecosystem services that benefit agriculture, tourism and public health.

The brief concludes by urging the European Commission to adopt the proposed measures in the next multi‑annual financial framework and to monitor progress through a transparent reporting mechanism. If implemented, the suggested policy shifts could accelerate sponge restoration across the continent, bolstering Europe’s resilience to an increasingly volatile climate.