Equity, fairness and justice in water policy

This literature review examines peer-reviewed, academic research on equity, fairness and justice in water policy. It looks at how these three concepts are included in discussions around access, allocations and rights to water across a wide range of fields of research. This review does not examine work that aims to primarily value water as a resource; it focuses on discussions of what makes water policy equitable, fair or just. We find that the literature does not provide an agreed definition of these concepts. Water policy makers who seek to address questions of equity, fairness and justice in water policy should recognise that this is a highly contested space likely to require difficult trade-offs and considerable deliberation and debate among and with stakeholders.