The work by the Global Commission on the Economics of Water is meant to offer advice on water management worldwide, as climate change and deforestation take an increasing toll on the water and rainfall supplies, co-chair Johan Rockstroem told Reuters ahead of unveiling the new group at the World Economic Forum.
“For centuries we’ve been able to consider freshwater a free resource,” said Rockstroem, who is also director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research in Germany.
Comprised of economists, scientists, community leaders and policymakers, the commission will investigate governance models to protect water resources and may consider pushing for a global price for freshwater, similar to what is being attempted with carbon markets.
