Lessons learned in institutional preparedness and response during the 2022 European drought
Are we sufficiently prepared for the next major drought, or are we still responding only once its impacts become evident?
The 2022 European drought exposed the growing challenges that increasingly frequent and severe drought events pose to water resources, ecosystems, economies, and society. Beyond the physical severity of such events, an equally important question emerges: how can institutions move from reactive crisis management towards proactive drought risk management?
Our paper addresses this question by examining the role of institutional preparedness, forecasting systems, and Drought Management Plans in supporting timely and effective responses. Drawing on the experiences of water management professionals across 30 European countries, we explore how preparedness, access to predictive information, and lessons from previous droughts can strengthen institutional capacity to anticipate and manage future crises.
The study highlights the importance of connecting scientific forecasting capabilities with institutional planning, governance, and decision-making. Effective drought management requires more than reliable predictions; it depends on whether organisations have the awareness, capacity, and established procedures to translate early warning information into timely action.
Ultimately, this work advocates a shift from responding to drought emergencies towards anticipating and managing drought risks before they escalate. It also emphasises the need for stronger European coordination and a more coherent policy framework, including consideration of a European Drought Directive, to support long-term resilience in an increasingly drought-prone Europe.
More information about the publication:
Biella, R., Shyrokaya, A., Pechlivanidis, I., Cid, D., Llasat, M. C., Tootoonchi, F., Wens, M., Lam, M., Stenfors, E., Sutanto, S., Ridolfi, E., Ceola, S., Alencar, P., Di Baldassarre, G., Ionita, M., de Brito, M. M., McGrane, S. J., Moccia, B., Nagavciuc, V., Russo, F., Krakovska, S., Todorovic, A., Trambauer, P., Vignola, R., and Teutschbein, C.: Lessons learned in institutional preparedness and response during the 2022 European drought, Nat. Hazards Earth Syst. Sci., 26, 955–979, https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-26-955-2026, 2026.
