Water: Economics and Policy

By Brian Roach, Anne-Marie Codur and Jonathan M. Harris

This teaching module discusses the science, economics and policy of sustainable water management. It presents current data on water stress and water scarcity around the world, and introduces the concepts of virtual water and water footprints.

The module explains how economic instruments can be used to allocate water resources, including bloc pricing that is designed to be socially equitable, setting water prices low for basic needs consumption, but higher for larger and wealthier water users. Non-price policy mechanisms include effective institutions for water governance that foster sustainable practices. The module concludes with an assessment of projected increased global water demand and impacts of climate change.

2015 Modules:

Download Teaching Module
Download PowerPoint file with Figures and Tables
Access French Translation