ABSTRACT
Drought is one of the most damaging natural hazards in the Iberian Peninsula (IP), causing varied socioeconomic and environmental impacts. This chapter analyzes current drought planning and management in the IP, framing it in terms of the climatic characteristics of the region and the European Union (EU) water policy, with which both Portugal and Spain have agreed to comply. It discusses the characterization of climate and hydrological drought patterns followed by the current state of drought planning and management in Portugal and Spain, and compliance with European policy. The chapter expresses that some potential actions to improve drought risk management at the Iberian level, including some recommended drought management policy best practices. The water framework directive (WFD) identifies the need to mitigate the effects of droughts, highlighting the possibility of complementing river basin management plans (RBMPs) through special programs and management plans to deal with specific water issues.
