Groundwater Governance and the role of the private sector

Groundwater is a public shared resource interlinked with many areas in the society such as food, energy, water supply, industry and the environment. There is more freshwater underground than on the surface of the planet and... [ view full abstract ]

Groundwater is a public shared resource interlinked with many areas in the society such as food, energy, water supply, industry and the environment. There is more freshwater underground than on the surface of the planet and it is a critical resource for societies worldwide, and yet its understanding, governance and management have often been overlooked. The Groundwater Governance Global Framework for Action in its third theme identifies that connections with other sectors, such as the private sector, need to be systematically made. Effective groundwater governance is essential for groundwater management and it is only achievable with stakeholder participation. The private sector, and especially the food industry, constitutes a key stakeholder in this process as agriculture accounts for 70% of the global water withdrawals and industry for 20%. This paper discusses the role of this sector by first outlining the reasons why they should work towards a better groundwater management. Furthermore, it suggests ways in which businesses can contribute to an improved groundwater management and governance. In addition, it argues the reasons why an emphasis should be made on the food sector and finalises with suggestions for future avenues for research and practice.

Keywords: groundwater, water,  governance, businesses, private sector