The OECD Water Governance Programme advises governments at all levels on how to design and implement better water policies for better lives. It relies on the OECD Water Governance Initiative (WGI) and provides guidance through the OECD Principles on Water Governance.
Water governance
Coping with water challenges requires robust public policies, targeting measurable objectives at the right time and appropriate scale, clear roles and responsibilities for relevant authorities, and regular monitoring and evaluation. Good water governance can greatly contribute to the design and implementation of such policies, with shared responsibility across levels of government and the broader range of stakeholders.
About the programme
Key messages
The OECD Water Governance Programme helps manage the complexity of water governance by shedding light on policy areas with relevance for water, such as the circular economy and nature-based solutions.
The OECD Water Governance Programme carries out policy dialogues to support countries in their efforts to reform water policies. Policy dialogues on water provide an external view on how a country’s current water governance system is performing, and which policy options should be considered for the future, building on international practices.
Context
Water-related risks are rising and vary widely across regions
About 90% of natural disasters and climate change impacts are water related. There are large subnational disparities in the exposure to water-related risks within countries. For example, in 61 OECD regions spanning 38 countries, more than 30% of the population is at risk of river flooding.
OECD projections estimate that by 2050, 40% of the world’s population will live in water-stressed river basins by 2050 and that water demand will rise by 55%.
Good water governance is needed to address risks of too much, too little and too polluted water
The OECD Principles provide the 12 must-do’s for governments to design and implement effective, efficient, and inclusive water policies.
Related policy issues
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The blue economy is a major driver of urban and regional development, creating millions of local jobs in sectors such as fisheries, tourism, and shipping. However, it can also contribute to carbon emissions and ecosystem degradation, while its reliance on freshwater, coastal and marine ecosystems exposes it to the impacts of climate change. As the places where the blue economy takes place, creates value and provides jobs, cities and regions play a key role in unlocking the potential of a blue economy that preserves the ecosystems that sustain it.Learn more
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Today, cities demand almost two-thirds of global energy, produce up to 80% of greenhouse gas emissions and 50% of global waste. The circular economy is based on three principles: i) design out waste and pollution; ii) keep products and materials in use; and iii) regenerate natural systems. It can provide a policy response to cope with the above challenges, as a driver for economic growth, jobs and environmental quality.Learn more
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Water-related investments deliver essential and measurable benefits for water security, which is the linchpin of our economies. Yet, a substantial financing gap persists. OECD work on finance and investment for water explores solutions to address the finance gap, make better use of existing financial resources, mobilise a broader range of financial resources for water security and tackle the water-related economic and financial risks.Learn more
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The OECD Principles on Water Governance provide the 12 must-do's for governments to design and implement water policies. To support their implementation, the OECD Water Governance Initiative has developed a water governance indicator framework, a set of evolving practices, a guide on how to assess water governance and a handbook for the local implementation of the Principles.Learn more
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Water is essential to life and for the health of ecosystems. Access to plentiful, good quality water resources underpins sustainable and inclusive development. Climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution all create pressures that disrupt the ability of freshwater systems to continue providing ecosystem services, impacting human health and nature but also affecting economic growth and generating financial risks. The OECD helps governments to manage their water resources and deliver water-related services effectively across economic sectors and policy agendas.Learn more
Contact us
Oriana Romano, Head of Unit - Water Governance, Blue and Circular Economy