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Water pricing and markets: Principles, practices and proposals

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  • Nauges, Céline
  • Wheeler, Sarah Ann
  • Grafton, Quentin R.

Abstract

The allocation of water across space and time is a key challenge of water governance, with demand and supply often not well matched over time and place. Best practice water pricing and markets may promote water conservation, yet their application is limited. We highlight the governance principles needed for best practice water pricing and water markets, describe differences across regions, and provide six key water demand governance recommendations, for both Global North and Global South countries.

Suggested Citation

  • Nauges, Céline & Wheeler, Sarah Ann & Grafton, Quentin R., 2025. "Water pricing and markets: Principles, practices and proposals," TSE Working Papers 24-1634, Toulouse School of Economics (TSE).
    • Handle: RePEc:tse:wpaper:130501
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Keywords

    Global South; Global North; water trade; water markets; water crisis; water security; climate change; sustainable development; taxes; costs; tariffs; subsidies.;
    All these keywords.

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