Spain grapples with severe drought and unfunded nature‑restoration plan

Spain is confronting a worsening water shortage after the 2022‑2024 drought left major reservoirs, such as the Guadalquivir, at about 15 % of capacity in February 2024. The country loses around 15.4 % of potable water through leaks and outdated distribution networks, while regional losses can exceed 25 %. Despite being a leader in desalination — with more than 4.5 million m³ per day capacity and plants like Torrevieja studied internationally — the lack of coordinated investment threatens future water security.

At the same time, Spain is approaching a critical deadline under the EU Nature Restoration Regulation, which requires member states to present a draft National Restoration Plan by September 2026 and a final version by September 2027. Conservation groups warn that the plan lacks clear financing, creating uncertainty for farmers, municipalities, and other stakeholders. The regulation targets the recovery of degraded ecosystems that affect water quality, soil health, carbon capture and resilience to climate extremes. Spain’s failure to secure funding jeopardises the ambitious goal of restoring over 80 % of Europe’s degraded habitats.

Both issues highlight the broader challenge of integrating water management and ecological restoration within Spain’s policy framework, underscored by the need for long‑term investment and transparent public participation.