© Alexander Ivanov
Freshwater ecosystems across Europe are slipping into crisis — and with them, the foundations of both biodiversity and the economy. On Danube Day, WWF Central and Eastern Europe calls for urgent action to revive the rivers, wetlands, and floodplains that millions rely on.
Healthy rivers and wetlands underpin an estimated €11 trillion in annual economic activity across Europe1 — more than twice Germany’s GDP. Yet these vital ecosystems remain deeply underprotected, increasingly degraded by pollution, over-extraction, climate extremes, and decades of engineered disconnection. Wetlands alone are disappearing three times faster than forests2. According to the European Environment Agency, only 37% of Europe’s surface water bodies achieved good or high ecological status between 2015 and 20213.
Touching the lives of 79 million people4, the Danube River basin supports more than 7,000 species of plants and animals5. Yet over 80% of its original wetlands and floodplains have disappeared since the 19th century6. The consequences reach far beyond biodiversity loss: water scarcity, failed harvests, dry wells, and increased vulnerability to floods and droughts.
Industries from agriculture and energy to food, beverage, textiles, and electronics depend heavily on stable, clean water supplies. Around 65% of the EU’s electricity production still relies on water availability for cooling7. Intensifying droughts, floods, prolonged heat waves, and water pollution are now escalating operational and supply chain risks. The European Investment Bank estimates that climate extremes already cost EU farmers €28 billion annually8.
With the world facing a worsening water crisis, a major global public survey conducted earlier this year, found that water pollution is now seen by people as the number one environmental concern — ahead of climate change. The findings also revealed growing public support for efforts to address water challenges, including stronger protection of freshwater ecosystems and more collective action from businesses.9
To help address these growing risks, WWF-CEE is working with partners across Central and Eastern Europe to restore degraded wetlands and floodplains. One of its flagship programmes, the Living Danube Partnership, has helped restore 1,762 hectares of wetlands and floodplains, improve water supply across 3,700 hectares, and reconnect 134.5 kilometres of rivers across six countries10.
“Wetlands and floodplains are nature’s insurance against some of the climate extremes’ effects. They help store water in the landscape, reduce the impact of extreme weather, and improve water quality,” says Irene Lucius, Regional Conservation Director of WWF Central and Eastern Europe. “Investing in nature is not only the right thing to do — it’s the smart thing to do.”
WWF has also developed a Water Stewardship Knowledge Hub to support businesses in adopting more sustainable water practices. Among its tools is the Water Risk Filter — a free, globally recognised platform that enables companies and investors to assess and manage water-related risks across their operations and value chains.
“Increasingly, restoring freshwater ecosystems is not just an environmental concern — they’re central to economic stability,” added Lucius.
As Danube Day is marked across the region, WWF is calling on governments, public institutions, companies, and local communities to embrace collective action — working together to restore rivers, wetlands, and floodplains as natural infrastructure that supports people, biodiversity, and economic resilience.
1. The High Cost of Cheap Water, WWF Report 2023
2. United Nations, Wetlands for our common future
3. Europe's state of water 2024
5. International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR),Plants and Animals
6. Restoring River and Wetlands at Scale, Living Danube Partnership 2021 Report
7. Water savings for a water-resilient Europe, European Environment Agency, 4 June 2025
8. European Investment Bank, May 2025
9. The Future Water Agenda, WWF & Globescan 2025
10 Restoring River and Wetlands at Scale, Living Danube Partnership 2021 Report
