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Grand theft water and the calculus of compliance

Author

Listed:
  • A. Loch

    (The University of Adelaide)

  • C. D. Pérez-Blanco

    (University of Salamanca)

  • E. Carmody

    (Environmental Defenders’ Office of New South Wales and University of New South Wales)

  • V. Felbab-Brown

    (The Brookings Institution)

  • D. Adamson

    (The University of Adelaide)

  • C. Seidl

    (The University of Adelaide)

Abstract

Water crises constitute a challenge for humanity. Uncertain supply and growing demand are driving higher water theft, particularly by agricultural users who account for approximately 70% of global use. However, research into water theft is underexplored in all disciplines. This paper provides a conceptual framework and modelling approach designed to improve understanding of both individual and institutional barriers to water theft. The framework and model explore how effective detection, prosecution, conviction and penalties can be assessed. Three case studies test the validity of our framework. Our findings suggest that while individuals and companies may be responsible for the act of theft, the phenomenon reflects a systematic failure of arrangements (political, legal, institutional, and so on). In addition, when regulators fail to understand the value of water, inadequate prescribed penalties increase the risk of theft. We invite others to test our framework, apply our model and engage in a wider conversation about water theft.

Suggested Citation

  • A. Loch & C. D. Pérez-Blanco & E. Carmody & V. Felbab-Brown & D. Adamson & C. Seidl, 2020. "Grand theft water and the calculus of compliance," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 3(12), pages 1012-1018, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natsus:v:3:y:2020:i:12:d:10.1038_s41893-020-0589-3
    DOI: 10.1038/s41893-020-0589-3
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Sapino, Francesco & Pérez-Blanco, C. Dionisio & Gutiérrez-Martín, Carlos & García-Prats, Alberto & Pulido-Velazquez, Manuel, 2022. "Influence of crop-water production functions on the expected performance of water pricing policies in irrigated agriculture," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 259(C).
    2. Bolinches, Antonio & Blanco-Gutiérrez, Irene & Zubelzu, Sergio & Esteve, Paloma & Gómez-Ramos, Almudena, 2022. "A method for the prioritization of water reuse projects in agriculture irrigation," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 263(C).
    3. Kelly, T.D. & Foster, T. & Schultz, David M., 2023. "Assessing the value of adapting irrigation strategies within the season," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 275(C).
    4. Stéphanie LEYRONAS & Aurélien Dumont (COSTEA), & Olivier Petit (CLERSÉ, université d’Artois), & Quentin Ballin (AFD),, 2021. "Agir en commun pour un usage durable de l’eau agricole," Working Paper 02545eec-73a8-41ac-a8da-e, Agence française de développement.
    5. Palomo-Hierro, Sara & Loch, Adam & Pérez-Blanco, C. Dionisio, 2022. "Improving water markets in Spain: Lesson-drawing from the Murray-Darling Basin in Australia," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 259(C).
    6. Batabyal, Amitrajeet A. & Beladi, Hamid, 2021. "A game-theoretic model of water theft during a drought," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 255(C).
    7. Pérez-Blanco, C. Dionisio & Sapino, Francesco & Saiz-Santiago, Pablo, 2023. "First-degree price discrimination water bank to reduce reacquisition costs and enhance economic efficiency in agricultural water buyback," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 205(C).
    8. Aurélien Dumont & Stéphanie Leyronas & Olivier Petit & Quentin Ballin, 2021. "Agir en commun pour un usage durable de l’eau agricole. Propositions pour prévenir la dégradation et la surexploitation des eaux souterraines," Post-Print hal-03183610, HAL.
    9. Gómez-Limón, José A. & Gutiérrez-Martín, Carlos & Montilla-López, Nazaret M., 2021. "Priority water rights. Are they useful for improving water-use efficiency at the irrigation district level?," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 257(C).

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