Explore the EU’s Water Resilience Strategy with focus on the industry

Challenge

The industrial sector in Sweden is the largest user of water, accounting for approximately two-thirds of total water use, and is also responsible for significant discharges into lakes, watercourses, and groundwater. Despite this, there is no coordinated national responsibility for industrial water use, which also weakens the sector’s ability to contribute to a water-resilient society. The European Commission’s Water Resilience Strategy, launched in 2025, provides Member States with a common direction and support in strengthening water resilience. In this project, the strategy is used as a starting point to explore what is required for the water transition of Swedish industry.

Aim

The project aims to mobilize the industrial sector in the work of the EU's Water Resilience Strategy and Water Wise Societies mission sustainable water for all. The goal is to identify needs, obstacles and opportunities for industry to contribute to a more resource-efficient and resilient water system and to develop concrete proposals for efforts to mobilize and accelerate the industry's water transition.

Expected results and impacts

The project propose national initiatives that can initiate and accelerate the industry's water transition and contribute to the implementation of the EU's Water Resilience Strategy. Work in the stakeholder group strengthens the coordination between authorities and industry. At the end of the project, the conclusions are presented to the Water Wise Societies program office and can be used as a basis for future program initiatives and stakeholder mobilization.

Planned approach and implementation

• Map activities in Sweden aimed at industry and the industry's needs and challenges
• Analyze prominent international initiatives aimed at industry
• Monitor the development of the EU's water resilience strategy and the work of Swedish authorities
• Develop proposals for national activities to promote industry's water transition
• The project's development is guided by a stakeholder group with industries, industry associations and public authorities who provide input and feedback on the work

The project is led by RISE, Svenskt Vatten and IVL, and is guided by a stakeholder group consisting of Orkla Foods, Volvo CE, Jernkontoret, Vilokan Group, Valmet and the Swedish Food Agency, which provides input and feedback on the work. Additional stakeholders will be involved through interviews and the project’s workshop. Please feel free to get in touch if you are interested in contributing to the project.