The conclusion comes at a time when the northern half of the Netherlands is under a drought warning and groundwater levels in the province of North Brabant remain below average. Large parts of Europe have also experienced an exceptionally warm and dry spring. Although soil moisture levels and vegetation are showing signs of recovery, researchers caution that it remains uncertain whether this trend will continue. Much depends on how societies manage available water resources. Not only individuals, but especially local, regional and national governments have a crucial role to play.
Drought Is a Systemic Problem
The study was carried out by an international group of drought researchers and led by VU researcher Marthe Wens of the Institute for Environmental Studies.
'Drought is a systemic problem,' says Wens. 'Droughts emerge and develop through the interaction between the water system and human activities in sectors such as agriculture, nature management, drinking water supply and inland navigation. Without cooperation between these sectors, measures remain fragmented and less effective.'
Climate Change Increases Drought Risks
According to the research group, an integrated approach to drought management is becoming increasingly important as a result of climate change.
'Droughts are expected to become more frequent, more intense and less predictable. This is happening despite significant advances in drought monitoring and the development of improved early warning systems. A shift is therefore needed from reactive to proactive drought management, in which risks are incorporated into policy and planning at an early stage,' Wens explains.
'Studies conducted over the past decade have also shown that droughts disproportionately affect vulnerable groups. Reducing socio-economic inequalities is therefore an important precondition for limiting drought risks.'
Cooperation at All Levels
The study has also provided greater insight into the barriers that hinder effective drought risk management and the importance of cooperation across different levels of governance.
Wens: 'According to the research group, resilience to drought requires a whole-of-society approach, in which governments, businesses and citizens work together.'
Greater Attention Needed for Health and Water Quality
The study also highlights several underexplored impacts of drought. According to the researchers, the effects on water quality and public health still receive relatively limited attention, even though drought should increasingly be regarded as a public health risk.
Knowledge Gaps on Drought
The researchers also identify important gaps in current knowledge.
Wens: 'Relatively little is still known about drought in urban areas, and robust methods are lacking to assess both economic and non-economic losses, as well as so-called cascading impacts.'
She also calls for greater attention to water justice, the use of diverse forms of knowledge—including Indigenous knowledge—and a better understanding of trade-offs, synergies and governance barriers.
The publication appears ahead of the upcoming United Nations conference on drought and land degradation (UNCCD COP), which will take place in Mongolia in August.
International Framework for Drought Resilience
The conference is expected to discuss the development of an international framework for drought resilience, focused on proactive drought risk management and strengthened cooperation on integrated water resources management. Such a framework would support governments worldwide in reducing drought risks and enhancing their resilience to future droughts.