Water democracy under European Union law: Requiring participatory services management (original) (raw)
2023, Utilities Policy
The current global water crisis is seriously challenging the water management, requiring an extensive sweeping adaptation for consumption and production patterns. Several international organisations recommend addressing water crisis through effective participatory practices. Taking into account the notion of environmental democracy and the legal implications of the right to water, this paper questions the public participation in the water services management in the European Union. Supervisor entities' cases are examined, and the idea of a participatory comanagement model is proposed. The aim is to clarify the legal foundations of water democracy, by suggesting possible solutions to support an increased public engagement. (IPCC, 2020). Furthermore, water crisis has been evaluated as a key driver of the risks to the global economy in the last ten annual Global risks reporters of the World Economic Forum (WEF) (WEF, 2022). 3 Founded in 1996 and based in Marseille, the WWC brings together international organisations, governments, the private sector, local authorities and civil society. Every three years it organises the most important international 'water congress', known as the World Water Forum.
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