Water allocation reform: what makes it so difficult?

Abstract

The increasingly urgent reform of water allocation is challenged by the complexity of the political dimension, in particular the need to reconcile often competing objectives such as food and energy security and green growth. Moreover, these objectives are unstable, and allocation regimes have to adjust to shifting priorities and circumstances at the lowest cost to society. Climate change generates additional uncertainty in water availability and demand. This calls for robust allocation regimes that can adjust, reallocate and reduce water allocation in an organized way.

Keywords:

• robust water allocation regimes
• green growth
• water policy reform

This article is based on discussions by policy makers, scientists and practitioners during the international water allocation workshop organized by the government of the Netherlands in cooperation with the Netherlands Commission for UNESCO and the Netherlands National Committee IHP-HWRP as an input to the work of the OECD. The opinions expressed and arguments employed do not necessarily reflect the official views of the OECD or of the governments of its member countries.