The Alberta Water Research Institute (AWRI) is completing the first phase of a major policy research project exploring financial, or market-based, instruments for sustainable water resource management. The project has been led by the Canada West Foundation, under the direction of an international panel, on behalf of AWRI.
On June 21, 2010, the Water Institute invited a cross section of stakeholders to a forum where four research papers exploring various options and perspectives on financial market mechanisms to water management were presented. A summary paper outlining some ideas and opportunities on how Alberta might use financial mechanisms to help sustain and manage the province’s water supply well into the future was also presented.
The meeting included three panel discussions looking at the social, environmental and economic implications and/or benefits of the ideas presented by the authors of the four research papers. Two to three stakeholders – representing municipal government, agriculture, industry, non-government organizations, and water management groups – provided initial comments and perspectives on the ideas presented. All stakeholders present also had the opportunity to provide feedback as part of these moderated sessions.
The discussion from this initial conversation is being summarized, and will guide the next steps on this policy research initiative. The summary will be available in July 2010.
Summary Paper:
Toward A Unique Solution: Sustainable Management of Alberta’s Water Resources
Alexander Zehnder
Alberta Water Research Institute
Roger Gibbins
Canada West Foundation
Report
Research Papers:
From H2O: Turning Alberta’s Water Headache to Opportunity
Casey Vander Ploeg
Canada West Foundation
Report
Presentation
Alberta’s Water Resource Allocation and Management System: A Review of the Current System and Evaluation of Sustainability within the Framework
David Percy, Q.C
Dr. Vic Adamowicz
Marian Weber
University of Alberta
Report
Presentation
Water Pricing: An Option for Improving Water Management in Alberta
Dr. Theodore Ted Horbulyk
University of Calgary
Report
Presentation
The Potential Benefits of an Organized Exchange for Sustainable Water Use in Alberta
Dr. Richard L. Sandor
Mike Walsh
Jeff O’Hara
Chicago Climate Exchange
Report
Presentation