Crimson Publishers Publish With Us Reprints e-Books Video articles

Abstract

Environmental Analysis & Ecology Studies

Socio-Economic Measures for Achieving Total Water Cost Recovery: A Brief Analysis with Illustration from the Evrotas River Basin, Greece

  • Open or ClosePhoebe Koundouri1,2,3, Stella Tsani1,2*, Nikittas Pittis4 and Eleftherios Levantis2

    1 ReSEES Laboratory, Athens University of Economics and Business, Greece

    2 International Center for Research on the Environment and the Economy (ICRE8), Paradeissos Amaroussion, Greece

    3 Grantham Research Institute, London School of Economics and Political Science, UK

    4 Department of Banking and Financial Management, University of Pireaus, Greece

    *Corresponding author: Stella Tsani, International Centre for Research on the Environment and the Economy, Marousi Athens, Greece

Submission: February 15, 2019; Published: March 26, 2019

DOI: 10.31031/EAES.2019.03.000610

ISSN: 2578-0336
Volume5 Issue2

Abstract

The EU Water Framework Directive is considered a first systematic approach to ensure the quality of freshwater ecosystems holistically. At the core of the Directive is the concept of “Total” costs and benefits of water use, i.e. the financial, environmental and resource costs of water use. Many studies stress the importance of conceptualizing and monetizing the total water costs. Nevertheless, implementing total water cost recovery may raise social and redistributive concerns. We discuss the approaches to implement total water cost recovery with illustrations from the Evtoras River Basin in Greece. We argue that the measures might not work towards achieving total water cost recovery. We thus complement the analysis with a brief discussion of the socio-economic tools and instruments that policy makers may additionaly consider. We conclude with some policy recommendations and insights in support of wellinformed policy making.

Keywords: Total water cost recovery; Programme of measures; Water framework directive; Sustainable management

Get access to the full text of this article