Climate Change and the Water Framework Directive

The Water Framework Directive (European Commission, 2000) is a package of environmental legislation that establishes new principles for action in the field of water policy. The central aim of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) is to restore or enhance all aquatic habitats in the territory of the European Union by 2015. Surface waters are defined as having good ecological status if their physical, chemical and biological characteristics match those of a comparable water body subject to minimal anthropogenic influences. Member States are required to develop River Basin Management Plans (RBMP) to meet these objectives and update these plans at regular intervals.