Polish Business Federation Unveils National Water Strategy Amidst Critical Shortage Risks

During the June 2026 Blue Deal Congress in Warsaw, the Federation of Polish Entrepreneurs introduced comprehensive water strategies for industry and agriculture to address the country’s severe water poverty.

The Urgent Need for Water Resilience

The third Blue Deal Congress focused on implementing the European Water Resilience Strategy, which was published by the European Commission in June 2025. Experts noted that water is now a primary factor influencing industrial efficiency, supply chain stability, and economic competitiveness.

Pernille Weiss-Ehler, representing the EU Commissioner for the Environment, highlighted that the strategy marks a shift toward prioritizing both water quality and quantity. The EU aims to increase overall water efficiency by 10 percent by 2030.

Strategic Frameworks for Industry and Agriculture

The Federation of Polish Entrepreneurs (FPP) developed tailored strategies to translate European goals into local action. FPP Chairman Marek Kowalski emphasized that shifting from declarations to real implementation is essential for maintaining food security and investment capacity.

The industrial strategy proposes six action packages, starting with the creation of a unified data platform to assess consumption and risk. Industry representatives noted that currently, only about 10 percent of industrial water is reused, largely due to a lack of clear procedural paths and legal certainty for investments.

Soil as the Primary Water Reservoir

The strategy for agriculture, developed with the European Fund for the Development of Polish Rural Areas, highlights that Poland retains only 7 percent of its rainwater. Experts argue that the focus must move toward small-scale retention and sustainable soil management.

Agricultural leaders advocate for replacing complex administrative procedures for small water structures with a simple notification system. They also call for the development of regenerative farming and precision irrigation systems to mitigate the impacts of recurring droughts.

Innovative Financing and Resilience Credits

With an estimated annual investment gap of 23 billion euros in the EU, the congress explored new financial mechanisms. Dr. Paula Hanasz introduced a pilot project for “resilience certificates,” which function like carbon credits to monetize ecosystem services and water retention.

These certificates would allow companies exposed to water risk to support projects that improve water retention in the soil. The overarching consensus of the congress was that water management must transition from fragmented initiatives to a systemic, national priority for economic stability.