Elsevier, Sustainable Development of Renewable Energy, Vol. , 2024, Pages 281-302This chapter supports the UN SDGs by addressing the sustainable deployment of hydropower within the Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystem nexus, promoting SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 15 (Life on Land) by exploring environmental impacts, conflicts, and strategies for sustainable development in the EU.