The “water tower” of continental Europe
Pilot Case Studies
France>Arc-Isère
Context and issues
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The largest freshwater supply of EuropeAlps are one of the richest biodiversity areas in continental Europe, thanks to its variety of habitats. They notably shelter various river and riparian ecosystems. In Alps, hydropower is the most important renewable energy source. It shows clear advantages for the global CO2 balance, but has significant ecological impacts, therefore threatening water bodies’ health. Sustainable way to hydropower appears as a strategic challenge for alpine regions. |
Growing conflicts of useAdministrators of mountain areas face an increasing demand of water abstraction but lack reliable tools to rigorously evaluate the effects on environment and on society. Consequently, consumers, producers and decision makers don’t have all the necessary inputs to reach decisions about their use of hydropower resources. River users and defenders face a daily contradiction, notably in implementing both the Directive on Electricity Production from Renewable Energy Sources and the Water Framework Directive. |
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