Floods directive: progress in assessing risks, while planning and implementation need to improve

In response to the rising incidence of flooding, the EU adopted in 2007 the Floods Directive. Under this framework, this audit sought to determine whether flood prevention, protection and preparedness under the Floods Directive were based on sound analysis and whether the approach employed was likely to be effective.

The audit found that the Floods Directive had positive effects overall, but that the implementation of flood prevention measures suffers from weaknesses in allocating funding. Member States have begun implementation of Flood Risk Management Plans (FRMPs), but improvements are needed. Major future challenges remain concerning the need for much fuller integration of climate change, flood insurance and spatial planning into flood risk management.