Publication: The Hidden Wealth of Nations: The Economics of Groundwater in Times of Climate Change
Loading...
Date
2023-06-23
ISSN
Published
2023-06-23
Author(s)
Abstract
At the global level, groundwater can buffer a third of the losses in economic growth caused by droughts and can protect cities against day-zero-type events. It is especially important for agriculture, where groundwater can reduce up to half of the losses in agricultural productivity caused by rainfall variability. By insulating farms and incomes from climate shocks, the insurance of groundwater translates into protection against malnutrition. In contrast, the lack of access to shallow groundwater increases the chances of stunting among children under five by up to 20 percent. In Sub-Saharan Africa, untapped groundwater irrigation potential could be key to improving food security and poverty reduction. Little land is irrigated there, but local shallow aquifers represent more than 60 percent of the groundwater resource, and 255 million people in poverty live above them. But depletion, degradation, and competition for groundwater threaten its sustainability and availability for future generations. Greater understanding of groundwater’s benefits and costs informs the report’s policy framework and recommendations. The findings also reflect on the issues policymakers confront when attempting to align the private and social costs of groundwater use. A central message of this report is that action is needed: groundwater needs to be a political priority and should be carefully managed through integratd cross-sectoral action to benefit society, the economy, and the environment.
Its findings also reflect on the policy issues policymakers confront when attempting to align the private and social costs of groundwater use. A central message of this report is that groundwater needs to be politically prioritized and should be carefully managed through integrated cross-sectoral action to benefit society, the economy, and the environment.
Its findings also reflect on the policy issues policymakers confront when attempting to align the private and social costs of groundwater use. A central message of this report is that groundwater needs to be politically prioritized and should be carefully managed through integrated cross-sectoral action to benefit society, the economy, and the environment.
Link to Data Set
Citation
“Rodella, Aude-Sophie; Zaveri, Esha; Bertone, François, editors. 2023. The Hidden Wealth of Nations: The Economics of Groundwater in Times of Climate Change. © World Bank. http://hdl.handle.net/10986/39917 License: CC BY 3.0 IGO.”
Associated URLs
Associated content
Other publications in this report series
Journal
Journal Volume
Journal Issue
Collections
Related items
Showing items related by metadata.
Publication Putting Tanzania's Hidden Economy to Work : Reform, Management, and Protection of its Natural Resource Sector(Washington, DC : World Bank, 2008)This paper tells a story about conditions in Tanzania's hidden economy, the parts of the natural resource sector often ignored in conventional economic analyses and studies, and makes recommendations for future policy actions. The paper draws primarily from extensive background studies undertaken of the forestry, fishery, wildlife, mining, and tourism sub sectors (COWI 2005) as well as a wide range of complementary studies undertaken by the World Bank and others. It de-emphasizes those sectors with factors of production that are not readily traded or exported (such as land and water), although some examples are given relating to soil quality and water management based on extensive studies undertaken within the agriculture and water sectors. The story is relatively simple: pricing distortions, coupled with institutional weakness and the lack of rule of law, have created an environment that undermines economic growth. This paper also acknowledges that Tanzania has already taken positive steps to making some of the needed corrections to protect its natural resources. In recent analyses of corruption indicators world-wide (World Bank Institute 2006), Tanzanian stands out among those nations as having made significant progress towards improving accountability and reducing economic leakages. Anti-corruption legislation was drafted for parliament attention in early 2007. Revisions to the Deep Sea Fishing Authority Act were passed into law in early 2007. Moreover, changes in institutional arrangements, taxation, and general management of the resource sector show promise and have contributed positively to general economic growth. Yet, the sector remains fragile and vulnerable in other respects: perceptions of unequal income distribution, impacts of climate change, and other external influences must also be addressed to build on past successes.Publication Water and Development : An Evaluation of World Bank Support, 1997-2007, Volume 1(Washington, DC: World Bank, 2010)The amount of available water has been constant for millennia, but over time the planet has added 6 billion people. Water is essential to human life and enterprise, and the increasing strains on available water resources threaten the mission of institutions dedicated to economic development. The ultimate goal is to achieve a sustainable balance between the resources available and the societal requirement for water. In this evaluation the Independent Evaluation Group (IEG) examines all the water-related projects financed by the World Bank between fiscal 1997 and the end of calendar 2007. Bank activities related to water are large, growing, and integrated. They include water resources management, water supply and sanitation, and activities related to agricultural water, industrial water, energy generation, and water in the environment. Through both lending and grants, the World Bank (the International Development Association and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, or IBRD) has supported countries in many water-related sectors. This evaluation examines the full scope of that support over the period from fiscal 1997 to the end of calendar 2007. More than 30 background studies prepared for the evaluation have analyzed Bank lending by thematic area and by activity type. The evaluation is by definition retrospective, but it identifies changes that will be necessary going forward, including those related to strengthening country-level institutions and increasing financial sustainability.Publication The Cost of Environmental Degradation : Case Studies from the Middle East and North Africa(World Bank, 2010-08-01)Environmental degradation is costly, to individuals, to societies, and to the environment. This book, edited by Lelia Croitoru and Maria Sarraf, makes these costs clear by examining a number of studies carried out over the past few years by the World Bank's Middle East and North Africa region. Even more important than estimating the monetary cost of environmental degradation (COED), however, are the clear guidance and policy implications derived from these findings. This volume presents a new approach to estimating the impacts of environmental degradation. In the past, when government officials asked researchers the simple question how large are the impacts of environmental degradation? The response was often an emphatic 'large!' a rather imprecise number. The strength of this work is that it actually quantifies in economic terms how large is 'large' and thereby gains the attention of decision makers and offers specific insights for improved policy making. Finally, this book demonstrates the benefits of doing a coordinated, regional COED analysis that builds on the country-level studies. This two-tiered approach produces important synergies, in terms of both the methodologies used and the lessons learned.Publication The World Bank's GEF Program in the Middle East and North Africa Region : Global Environmental Benefits Contributing to National Development Goals(World Bank, Washington, DC, 2014-01)The report focuses on the two decades of the World Bank - Global Environment Facility (GEF) partnership with the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries. This partnership has had a global environmental impact by working both at the local and national level and engaging all relevant partners and stakeholders. In addition, many GEF financed operations stand as examples of what a more holistic approach can achieve in terms of innovation and catalyzing greater investment. These operations have also delivered important social benefits such as job creation, enhanced economic and social inclusion, and strengthened governance capabilities. Presently the region s most pressing environmental challenges stem from rapid urbanization and its resulting infrastructure needs, industrial pollution, overexploitation of scarce water resources, the unsustainable management of fragile ecosystem resources and vulnerability to climate variability and climate change. Decision makers working to address these problems also face many tightly linked and urgent social issues. These issues include meeting the aspirations of a quickly growing urban youth population; giving voice to gender and women s issues; finding ways to spur job growth; and reversing the poor provision of basic services. This publication also points to opportunities for further World Bank - GEF cooperation in support of green growth.Publication Water and Climate Change(World Bank, Washington, DC, 2010-06)Adaptation to climate impacts on groundwater resources in developed and developing countries has not received adequate attention. This reflects the often poorly understood impacts of climate change, the hidden nature of groundwater and the general neglect of groundwater management. Many developing countries are highly reliant on groundwater. Given expectations of reduced supply in many regions and growing demand, pressure on groundwater resources is set to escalate. This is a crucial problem and demands urgent action. This report addresses the impacts of climate change on groundwater and adaptation options. The Earth's climate is projected to become warmer and more variable. Increased global temperatures are projected to affect the hydrologic cycle, leading to changes in precipitation patterns and increases in the intensity and frequency of extreme events; reduced snow cover and widespread melting of ice; rising sea levels; and changes in soil moisture, runoff and groundwater recharge. Increased evaporation and the risk of flooding and drought could adversely affect security of water supply, particularly surface water. Due to these pressures, as well as global population growth, demand for groundwater is likely to increase.
Users also downloaded
Showing related downloaded files
Publication Address Presenting the Fifth Annual Report(World Bank, Washington, DC, 1950-09-08)Eugene R. Black, President of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, spoke about the war in Korea and the repercussions around the world. He discussed how much progress was being made in Europe in hammering out new patterns of production and trade to replace and improve prewar patterns that cannot be restored. He also said that with the cooperation of the members, Bank can aid, in creating confidence and the kind of economic environment which will encourage productive investment, both local and foreign, private and public. He examined some of the steps underdeveloped nations must take in order to effectively translate aid into concrete development.Publication Address Presenting the Fourth Annual Report(World Bank, Washington, DC, 1949-09-13)Eugene R. Black, President of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, spoke about the plight of the underdeveloped member countries. Bank has greatly enlarged its knowledge of their economic problems and needs, their capacity to absorb and service external loans, and the merits of particular development projects. He discussed the most constructive contributions the Bank can make to the progress of development, especially in the least advanced countries, is to help make available to them the experience of other nations. He closed on a note that the Bank can start on the way towards equilibrium, it may find the effects of returning confidence highly cumulative and the difficulties dispelled more quickly than they dared hope.Publication Address to the Canadian Club of Montreal(World Bank, Washington, DC, 1956-01-16)Eugene R. Black, President of the World Bank Group, spoke about the vigorous partnership between Canada and the World Bank. He described at length the relationship between Canada and the Bank in terms of lending and the country's progress in various areas of economic development.Publication Address before the Twenty-First Session of the Economic and Social Council of United Nations, New York City(World Bank, Washington, DC, 1956-04-18)Eugene R. Black, President of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, discussed the newest development in the Bank's technical assistance work, including the International Finance Corporation. He explained the significant progress made by Bank in the postwar decade, and the continued and intensified efforts to accelerate the pace of development.Publication Address before the Foreign Policy Association, Minneapolis, January 19, 1949(World Bank, Washington, DC, 1949-01-19)John J. McCloy, President of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, spoke about the elusive matter of international economic recovery. He reviewed the policy environment for the European Recovery Program (Marshall Plan), economic integration, and international trade imbalances. Europe’s dollar problem is America’s dollar problem.