An Integrated Assessment of Water Markets: A Cross-Country Comparison

Quentin Grafton, Gary Libecap, Samuel McGlennon, Clay Landry, Bob O'Brien

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticle

    Abstract

    This article presents an integrated framework for assessing water markets in terms of their institutional foundations, economic efficiency, and environmental sustainability. This framework can be a tool for (a) comparing different water markets, (b) tracking performance over time, and (c) identifying ways in which water markets might be adjusted by policy makers to achieve desired goals. The framework is used to identify the strengths and limitations of five water markets: (a) Australia�s Murray-Darling Basin, (b) the western United States, (c) Chile (in particular the Limar� Valley), (d) South Africa; and (v) China (in particular, the North). The framework helps identify which of these water markets are currently able to contribute to integrated water resource management, which criteria underpin these markets, and which features of these markets may require further development. The findings for each market, as well as comparisons between them, provide general insights into water markets and how water governance can be improved.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)219 - 239
    JournalReview of Environmental Economics and Policy
    Volume5
    Issue number2
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2011

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'An Integrated Assessment of Water Markets: A Cross-Country Comparison'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this