Ecosystem services are the benefits that society obtains from ecosystems, such as food, clean water and air. This review investigates the health benefits provided by 3 ecosystem services - air filtration, local climate regulation and recreation. The review found ecosystem services provide many benefits to...

This project investigated the role of science in the policy-making process in order to deepen understanding of the science-policy interface and the ways in which the scientific basis underpinning policy might be strengthened to better support good environmental decision-making.

This plan maps out actions to reduce groundwater use in Perth in response to climate change, and is based on extensive consultation, modelling and research. Reducing groundwater abstraction will have long-term benefits for water users and will help protect important wetlands and native bushland, making...

While awareness of greater water-related business risks driven by climate change has grown, and the need for water security has gained attention, the topic is often seen in competition for attention and resources with other sustainable development priorities. This white paper shines a spotlight on...

The NSW Select Committee on Floodplain Harvesting is currently considering the future of how overland flow water in the NSW Murray Darling Basin will be managed and regulated. This briefing note highlights six clear reasons why floodplain harvesting should be limited to the legal volumetric...

This report sets out the Productivity Commission’s findings and recommendations on the effectiveness of the Register of Foreign-owned Water Entitlements. The key message of the report is that there is no compelling case for major changes to the Register.

This report assesses the progress of the Australian, State and Territory governments since 2017 towards achieving the objectives and outcomes of the National Water Initiative (NWI). It also provides practical advice to governments on future directions for national water reform through renewal of the NWI.

This report argues for cap-and-trade approaches to the management of New Zealand's fresh water.

This consultation document seeks feedback on options that will inform the development of freshwater farm plan regulations under part 9A of the Resource Management Amendment Act 2020.

The Overseer is a model that aims to estimate farm-scale nutrient flows. This document reviews the Overseer model. This is necessary to assess whether it can confidently be used as a decision support tool.

This draft report assesses the progress of the Australian, State and Territory governments towards achieving the objectives and outcomes of the National Water Initiative (NWI), and provides practical advice on future directions for national water reform.

This working paper presents the array of different policy instruments available for managing freshwater quality and quantity. In doing so, the paper provides insights into how the various instruments have been used to incentivise behaviour change in the New Zealand context, and outlines the barriers...

The Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (NSW) is the lead agency for water resource policy, regulation and planning in the state. This audit examined whether the department has effectively supported the planning for and funding of town water infrastructure in regional NSW.

This publication provides an overview of the economic effects of water recovery on water prices and the irrigation sector in the southern Murray–Darling Basin. The analysis uses economic modelling to separate the effects of water recovery from seasonal variations in rainfall and water supply, along...

The report provides evidence that New Zealand’s freshwater is impacted by urban development, farming, forestry and other human activities. It highlights how climate change is set to make the issues faced by freshwater environments even worse.

The urban water sector in Australia is facing major challenges over the coming decades. This paper examines the policy and implementation frameworks currently governing the urban water sector to identify where there may be impediments to the adoption of Integrated Water Cycle Management (IWCM).

This report presents a series of forward looking scenarios for the southern Murray-Darling Basin water market, examining potential future water prices, trade flows and irrigation sector outcomes, taking into account recent and expected trends for water supply and demand.

This analysis of data on climate finance, water access and climate vulnerability shows that half of countries receive less than AUD$8 per person per year in climate finance for mitigation and adaptation combined. Some of the most vulnerable countries receive significantly less.

This report argues that water conservation is the best option to reduce rising water stress, but is not viable in many instances. Other options, such as desalination, managed aquifer recharge and water recycling could reduce pressure on water sources, but are unlikely to prevent an...

Some of the Murray Darling Basin’s best managed waterways would be damaged by water infrastructure projects that benefit major corporate irrigators, according to this report.

This report identifies the main changes in water markets in the Murray-Darling Basin over the past 15 to 20 years and explains the main factors driving these changes.

This document presents findings from a two-year-long project that examined how well public organisations are currently managing water resources and delivering water-related services for the benefit of New Zealanders.

This report reveals new information on the Commonwealth’s controversial purchase of water rights in the Condamine Balonne valley for $80 million in 2017.

This paper argues that new sources of financing are needed in order to provide clean water and sanitation for citizens around the world. The challenge is particularly acute in cities where population growth and urbanization are stretching resources and deteriorating living conditions.

The Australian National Audit Office is investigating so-called strategic water purchases in the Murray Darling Basin. The Australia Institute has prepared this submission on the procurement of strategic water entitlements. This submission relates to four “strategic” purchases of water in the Murrumbidgee, Warrego, Condamine-Balonne and...