EU policy brief urges sponge landscape restoration to boost water resilience

European water and climate resilience faces mounting challenges as degraded soils, drained catchments and the loss of wetlands amplify droughts and heighten flood risks. In response, three EU‑funded initiatives—SpongeBoost, SpongeWorks and SpongeScapes—have jointly released a policy brief titled *“Achieving Better Implementation of EU Policies by Restoring the Sponge Function.”* The brief outlines a set of recommendations aimed at strengthening Europe’s capacity to manage water by restoring the natural sponge function of landscapes, which enables soils, wetlands, forests and floodplains to absorb, store and slowly release water.

The brief combines policy guidance, scientific evidence and case studies from across Europe to illustrate how sponge landscapes can be integrated into existing EU frameworks. It calls for enhanced cross‑border cooperation, clearer regulatory incentives, and increased investment in nature‑based solutions that restore wetlands, re‑vegetate floodplains and protect forested catchments. By aligning national policies with the EU’s Green Deal and Water Framework Directive, the projects seek to accelerate the adoption of sponge landscapes as a cost‑effective, climate‑adaptation strategy.

In conclusion, the joint brief positions the restoration of the sponge function as a central pillar for future water and climate resilience in Europe. If implemented, the recommendations could reduce the severity of both droughts and floods, while delivering co‑benefits such as biodiversity conservation and improved water quality. The projects invite policymakers, stakeholders and local communities to collaborate in scaling up these nature‑based solutions across the continent.