Comparative analysis of adaptation policies and policy instruments for water management in Europe

Ten European countries, including Finland, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, Estonia, Spain, Latvia, and Lithuania Adaptation policies are deeply structured and shaped by contextual climatic, environmental, social, and governance factors, making them inherently sector-specific. Their effective implementation requires integrated, cross-sectoral approaches, strong governmental engagement, and active citizen engagement. This study conducts a content analysis of adaptation strategies and plans in the water sector across European countries, aiming to identify key themes, policy types, and dominant instruments. Two main documents, the National Adaptation Strategy (NAS) and the National Adaptation Plan (NAP), available on the Climate-ADAPT-2023 platform, have been analyzed. All countries in the study use a mix of adaptation strategies, plans, and policy instruments, each focusing on specific instruments. Information-based instruments such as mapping flood risk are the most widely policy instruments by European countries to address adaptation. Many countries rely on infrastructural and technical instruments, particularly for drinking water supply networks, sewage and stormwater systems, irrigation, and flood risk management. Most countries have employed policies such as promoting responsible water use, enhancing water conservation and recycling, assessing flood risks, and managing flood impacts to promote citizen engagement. By systematically analyzing these policies, the study contributes to clarifying fragmented knowledge, highlighting national priorities, and enabling broader cross-country comparisons. Extracting and comparing adaptation policies in the water sector • This mixed-method study used document and directed content analysis to identify national adaptation strategies and plans. • Comparative analysis reveals diverse water management policy instruments in European countries shaped by national priorities. • All ten European countries use a mix of adaptation policy instruments, each emphasizing specific types in their strategies. • Information-based instruments are the most widely policy instruments by European countries to address adaptation.