The Water Framework Directive is under threat. Sign the petition launched by the European NGO coalition #HandsOffNature.

The Water Framework Directive is under threat. Sign the petition launched by the European NGO coalition #HandsOffNature, which requires our national and European leaders to uphold laws that protect people and nature.

 Powerful polluting industries such as mining, chemical and industrial agriculture, backed by our European leaders, are launching reckless attacks against the Water Framework Directive (WFD). Following their requests, the European Commission has announced in its RESourceEU Action Plan that it would revise the directive in Q2 2026. Yet the WFD allows us to have access to clean water and protects rivers, wetlands, lakes and other crucial ecosystems which wildlife and ourselves rely on – and has just been updated (a deal was reached last September). 

The decision made by these industries and their political allies to choose the short-term profits of a few over the preservation of the water cycle is a direct threat to our health and to natural habitats. Since it was first adopted 25 years ago, the WFD has been protecting Europe’s surface waters as well as its groundwater, yet only 39.5% of surface water bodies in Europe are in good ecological status or ecological potential at the time we speak. In Germany, it is only 8% of rivers that are currently reaching this standard. 

 We cannot accept the weakening of this legislation while we are already observing an alarming level of pollution of our rivers from pesticides, nitrates and PFAS. Human health and environmental health alike are not negotiable, we should not let them suffer from an artificial debate between competitiveness and solid environmental rules.  

Let’s take action together to tell our leaders that our health and nature are not for sale!

Help us speak up for our planet’s health and 450 millions of Europeans against reckless attacks from industrial lobbies denying the scientific reality.  

 Together, let’s protect the EU law on Water! 

We invite you to sign and share the petition. Thank you for your valued support!