ICPR – International Commission for the Protection of the Rhine

Programme “Rhine 2040“

In February 2020, the ministers in charge or their deputies adopted the programme “Rhine 2040“. It aims at a sustainably managed Rhine catchment with valuable lifelines for man and nature that is resilient to the impacts of climate change.

Picking up on the goals and the results of the predecessor programme "Rhine 2020", the programme "Rhine 2040" defines new ambitious, concrete and measurable goals for the year 2040.

 Programme Rhine 2040

Brochure Rhine 2040

Various global environmental problems - especially the loss of biodiversity, pollution and climate change - affect the water cycle. On the Rhine and its tributaries, for example, climate change is already evident in the form of more frequent and more pronounced low and high water phases and higher water and air temperatures, which in turn have an impact on flora and fauna. In this connection, the ICPR will continue its climate change adaptation strategy until 2025.

The programme meets these challenges with four fields of action:

In this context, "Rhine 2040" supports the achievement of the "good chemical and ecological status or potential" according to the EC Water Framework Directive and aims at a reduction of flood risks according to the objectives of the EC Flood Risk Management Directive.

The “Rhine 2040” programme and its goals are in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations 2030 Agenda and similar international efforts, such as the European Green Deal. You can find out how the measures of "Rhine 2040" affect the sustainability goals here:

“Rhine 2040” and the UN Sustainable Development Goals

With the "Rhine 2040" programme, we are continuing the success story of over 70 years of international cooperation in the Rhine catchment area!