As Europe burns, water retention emerges as a critical climate solution

In an interview with the Impact Loop, he points to several opportunities where nature-based solutions can both strengthen resilience and create new business opportunities.

June became the hottest month ever recorded in Western Europe, according to data from the EU’s climate program Copernicus, and July was marked by extensive wildfires in countries including Spain and France. At the same time, prolonged drought has caused unusually low water levels in several major European rivers, including the Danube and the Rhine, creating problems for shipping, energy infrastructure, and agriculture across the continent.

“We must develop every possible method to reduce carbon emissions. That is the root problem, and it requires much greater investment. Progress is moving too slowly,” says Elmqvist.

In 2025, Elmqvist contributed to the European Academies' Science Advisory Council (EASAC) report Changing Wildfires: Policy Options for a Fire-Literate and Fire-Adapted Europe. The report outlines measures to reduce wildfire risks while also highlighting emerging opportunities in climate adaptation and nature-based solutions.
According to Elmqvist, three examples stand out:

Preventive restoration

Preventive restoration involves deliberately reshaping landscapes to reduce wildfire risk. This can include planting more deciduous trees or carrying out controlled burns to reduce the amount of combustible material in forests.

“The more effective we are at extinguishing fires, the greater the risk that eventually we face one we cannot control,” says Elmqvist.

Productive firebreaks

Another approach is the creation of productive firebreaks. These are open strips of land where vegetation has been removed or thinned to slow the spread of fire. At the same time, these areas can be used for economic activities.

“Their primary purpose is to function as firebreaks, but in the meantime they can also be used, for example, for cultivation,” Elmqvist explains.

Retaining water in the landscape

Of all the opportunities identified, Elmqvist highlights water retention as particularly important.

Extensive drainage of wetlands and other landscape modifications have caused water to flow away too quickly, resulting in either flooding or drought. Low water levels in Europe’s major rivers have not only disrupted transportation but have also forced nuclear reactors to shut down because they could no longer be adequately cooled.

“Investments that help retain more water in the landscape in various ways will, I believe, become a top priority within the EU in the years ahead,” suggests Elmqvist.

Measures such as restoring wetlands, reducing drainage and creating water reservoirs can strengthen resilience to climate impacts while providing benefits to communities, landowners and businesses alike.

"Water is the fundamental cornerstone of this entire discussion. There are many different areas where solutions can be developed. Water is vital for life. We cannot live without it," says Elmqvist.

Read more on business opportunities in taking climate action in the article on Impact Loop (in Swedish).