Toolkit for water policies and governance : converging towards the OECD Council recommendation on water

Preface Foreword Acknowledgements Acronyms Executive summary 1. Introduction References 2. General water policy 2.1. Adjust water policies to local conditions 2.2. Long-term water management planning 2.3. Interlinkages between surface and groundwater management 2.4. Reviews and updates 2.5. Stakeholder consultation 2.6. Joint management of water quantity and quality 2.7. Address practices, trends and developments for water availability, demand and risks 2.8. Facilitate the development and diffusion of innovation References Notes 3. Managing water quantity 3.1. Water demand management policies 3.1.1. Short and long term projections and uncertainties 3.1.2. Incorporating social, economic and ecological functions in water quantity management 3.2. Promoting water use efficiency 3.2.1. Economic instruments 3.2.2. Support for water efficient technologies 3.2.3. Alternative sources of water 3.3. Water allocation regimes 3.4. Collective management approaches 3.5. Improved knowledge and data References Notes 4. Improving water quality 4.1. Allocation of resources to manage water pollution 4.2. Risk mitigation 4.3. Reduction of water pollution 4.4. Cost-effectiveness 4.5. Cost-effectiveness and Polluter Pays Principle 4.6. Compliance 4.7. Sustainable use of water-related ecosystems 4.8. Coherence between water and sectoral policies References Notes 5. Managing water risks and disasters 5.1. Managing water risks and disasters in a cooperative way 5.2. Risk assessment 5.2.1. Financial protection strategies 5.3. Risk awareness 5.4. Setting and revising acceptable levels of water risk 5.5. Prevention and mitigation measures 5.6. Emergency response measures 5.7. Social policies and financial mechanisms 5.8. Transparency, accountability and public awareness 5.9. Policy coherence 5.10. Water risks related to climate change in agriculture 5.11. Water risks related to cities References Notes 6. Ensuring good water governance 6.1. Clearly allocate and distinguish roles and responsibilities 6.2. Manage water at the appropriate scale(s) 6.3. Encourage policy coherence and effective cross-sectoral co-ordination 6.4. Adapt the level of capacity to the complexity of water challenges 6.5. Use data and information to guide policy 6.6. Mobilise water finance efficiently 6.7. Implement and enforce water regulation 6.8. Promote innovative water governance practices 6.9. Mainstream integrity and transparency 6.10. Promote stakeholder engagement 6.11. Manage governance complexity and trade-offs 6.12. Monitor and evaluate water policy and governance References Notes 7. Ensuring sustainable finance, investment and pricing for water and water services 7.1. Principles for financing water resources management 7.2. Aiming for the greatest social returns to investment 7.2.1. Explore options that can minimise financing needs 7.2.2. Take stock of existing assets 7.2.3. Develop strategic financial plans 7.2.4. Setting up an Independent review 7.3. Diversifying revenue streams and tapping into new sources of capital References Notes 8. Pricing instruments for water management and services 8.1. Setting abstraction charges that reflect water scarcity 8.2. Setting water pollution charges to incentivise pollution prevention 8.3. Setting tariffs that cover operation, maintenance and renewal costs 8.4. Accounting for the redistributive consequences and priority water uses 8.5. Phasing out price-distorting policy measures and general subsidies 8.6. Transaction costs References Notes The Toolkit for Water Policies and Governance compiles policies, governance arrangements and related tools that facilitate the design and implementation of water management practices in line with the OECD Council Recommendation on Water. It is designed to inspire and support countries which have either adhered to, are considering adhering to, or aim to converge towards the OECD standard. The Recommendation was unanimously adopted by the OECD Council in December 2016. The adoption marked the outcome of a two-year consultation process with delegates from ministries active in the fields of agriculture, development assistance, environment, public governance, regional development, and regulatory policy, as well as with relevant stakeholders (the business sector, trade unions, environmental organisations) and the OECD Water Governance Initiative. The Recommendation puts forward an international standard with high-level policy guidance on a range of topics relevant for the management of water resources and delivery of water services. The areas covered include managing water quantity, water risks and disasters, improving water quality, ensuring good water governance as well as sustainable finance, investment and pricing for water services. The practices reported in the toolkit have been compiled by the OECD Secretariat, in close consultation with delegates from adhering countries. Regular updates will be made available This publication compiles policies, governance arrangements and related tools that facilitate the design and implementation of water management practices in line with the OECD Council Recommendation on Water. It is designed to inspire and support countries which have either adhered to, are considering adhering to, or aim to converge towards the OECD standard. The Recommendation was unanimously adopted by the OECD Council in December 2016. The adoption marked the outcome of a two-year consultation process with delegates from ministries active in the fields of agriculture, development assistance, environment, public governance, regional development, and regulatory policy, as well as with relevant stakeholders (the business sector, trade unions, environmental organisations) and the OECD Water Governance Initiative. The Recommendation puts forward an international standard with high-level policy guidance on a range of topics relevant for the management of water resources and delivery of water services. The areas covered include managing water quantity, water risks and disasters, improving water quality, ensuring good water governance as well as sustainable finance, investment and pricing for water services. The practices reported in the toolkit have been compiled by the OECD Secretariat, in close consultation with delegates from adhering countries