

Effective water management is a crucial ingredient for green growth. It is becoming increasingly clear that astute investment in, and management of, water can help to drive green growth. To do this, governments must catalyse water-related investment and innovation that underspin sustained green growth and give rise to new economic opportunities. Drawing on recent OECD work on policies to support green growth, and on water economics and governance, this Policy Perspectives brochure lays out the opportunities to manage and invest in water as a means for green growth. This paper identifies the key policy options that governments can use to assist this transition towards greener growth.

This report is the first major output of a project on Water and Green Growth, led by the Government of the Republic of Korea and the World Water Council (WWC). It is the result of over 12 months of research and analysis by an international group of experts. It provides an analysis of 26 case studies that illustrate various aspects of water and green growth, and then uses the analysis to recommend a draft framework for policymakers.


This report was launched at the 7th World Water Forum in Daegu, Gyeongbuk, Republic of Korea. It presents the research conducted from 2011 - 2014, a new theoretical approach, a revised analytical framework and recommendations for policy makers to begin the process of implementing water and green growth strategies. The report provides a recap of the history and rationale behind the development of the Water and Green Growth Project and concept. The analytical framework used in the report has been developed through numerous discussions between experts in various fields and encompasses strategic, institutional, and practical approaches.