Lessons from the 2018–2019 European droughts: a collective need for unifying drought risk management

Abstract. Drought events and their impacts vary spatially temporally due to diverse pedo-climatic hydrologic conditions, as well variations in exposure vulnerability, such demographics response actions. While hazard severity frequency of past drought have been studied detail, little is known about the effect management strategies on actual how perceived by relevant stakeholders. In a continental study, we characterised assessed perceptions two recent (2018 2019) Europe examined relationship between perception, hazard, impact. The study was based pan-European survey involving national representatives from 28 countries stakeholders responding standard questionnaire. focused collecting information stakeholders' drought, water resources beyond, availability, current regional scales. results were compared with registered European Observatory (EDO) for 2018 2019. highlighted high diversity perception across different values implemented alleviate increasing sub-national awareness resilience. identifies an urgent need further reduce constructing implementing macro-level governance approach, directive, which would strengthen mitigate damage human natural assets.