The Chinese government has made water a real national priority for 2011. The publication of an initial working document (known as document number 1), which describes the government’s priorities, makes access to water and preserving the resource a primary concern. Within 10 years, the government is intending to allocate 779 billion dollars to conserving the resource and providing access to good quality drinking water. 225 billion will be invested over the next five years. The Chinese water resources minister, Chen Lei, also announced that stricter water regulations will be adopted. This new water legislation will pursue two objectives: to protect water resources and combat the severe water shortage currently affecting the country.

On 17 January this year, Nathalie Kosciusko-Morizet, the Minister for Ecology, Sustainable Development, Transport and Housing, set the course for the 6th World Water Forum during the second consultative meeting of stakeholders in Paris. Held in Marseilles in March 2012, it will be the “forum for solutions”. Its ambitious goal will therefore be to arrive at concrete solutions to ensure that access to water is not only a recognised right, but a reality as well.

The European Commission has announced a 27 000 km2 expansion of the European network of protected natural areas, called Natura 2000, which will enable better protection for many species, especially those in marine environments. An area of 17 500 km2 of seas and oceans has been added to Natura 2000, and these marine ecosystems have been further expanded by wetlands, river basins and also natural forests.