Report

Water is not just a resource: it is an essential component for life, social stability and economic and industrial progress. However, notwithstanding its strategic role, the water sector has long been underestimated in public policies and investment decisions, accumulating structural vulnerability that is now becoming increasingly evident.

Through its Acea Research & Studies publications, the Group participates in the public debate by analysing the main challenges facing the water sector, from critical infrastructure issues to governance fragmentation, up to the economic and industrial implications. In this connection, Acea has played an active part in the process initiated by the European Commission to outline the European Water Resilience Strategy, publishing a dedicated position paper and making available skills, data and experience gained by the Group.

These considerations also find a broader dimension in the new World Economic Forum report, developed by Acea in collaboration with the University of Cambridge. This document addresses water scarcity not only as a global challenge, but above all as a major investment opportunity for the enhancement of economic and social resilience, promoting an evolution of the water management model towards more efficient, circular and sustainable solutions. Within this framework, Acea aims to contribute to the construction of water systems capable of reducing losses, support the reuse of water and step up the adoption of innovative technologies.