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In the 2014 workshop on coordinated implementation of nature, biodiversity, marine and water (NBMW) policies (Workshop preparatory committee 2014) it was stressed once more that successes in water, nature (or marine) policies invariably depend on the progress in all other areas. A coordinated implementation is rewarding as the joint implementation of water and nature policies achieves a higher quality of our environment and promote better regulation at European and national level, including avoiding burdensome duplication of work (Workshop preparatory committee 2014). There are no objective obstacles preventing from working together efficiently and exploit synergies of NBMW policies, as there is no essential contradiction in objectives between them. Nevertheless, a full harmonisation is not possible (Summary Report 2015).

Notwithstanding the different contexts in which the BHDs, WFD and FD are developed, and the different objectives they aim to achieve, creating different instruments, there are plenty good examples on a more coordinated approach of the policy processes, e.g. on monitoring and reporting and on the development of programmes of measures and public consultation (Workshop preparatory committee 2014). The comparison of some management aspects, indicating similarities and differences between the FD, WFD and BHDs, can be found in Table 4.1. Examples of potential synergies and conflicts at different scales, related to the hydrology and physical processes can be found in Table 4.2. The importance of potential conflicts became clear once more when assessing the state of Europe’s nature: besides agriculture the modification of natural conditions of water bodies is seen as a major pressure and also pollution remains an issue (EEA 2015d). The proportion assessments which are unfavourable and deteriorating is particularly high for species and habitats associated with wetlands, alluvial grassland, riparian forests and freshwater (EEA 2015d).

There was a large consensus that there is the need to further define a common agenda, building further on the basis of the NBMW workshop (Summary Report 2015). It will be followed by an event under the Luxembourg Presidency in November 2015 (*).

(*) in final version to replace by ‘past time’ and some key messages.