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Program

Valuing water

SEI researchers apply a range of economic methods to explore the value of water – in economic and social terms – to enable more sustainable and equitable water plans that foster cooperation across sectors and across boundaries.

Active project

2010–2025

Current water management practices have failed to achieve sustainable water for all and, at times, reinforce the imbalance of power between water users. Conflict around water often takes place quietly: more powerful actors control – either politically or economically – who gets water and when, while less powerful actors lack the ability to motivate alternative or more equitable access to water. There are many reasons for these inequities, but they often relate to misunderstandings around the value of water and its role in collective water, energy, ecosystem and food security.

The SEI US Program on Water for Ecosystems and Livelihoods uses both macroeconomic and microeconomic methods to explore a more holistic understanding of the value of water that can address both sustainability and inequities.

Profile picture of Annette Huber-Lee
Annette Huber-Lee

Senior Scientist

SEI US

Laura Forni

Water Program Director

SEI US

Profile picture of Brian Joyce
Brian Joyce

Senior Scientist

SEI US

Eric Kemp-Benedict
Eric Kemp-Benedict

SEI Affiliated Researcher

SEI US

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