Water Ethics

Some would say that ethical perspectives on water management are not important or that they do not bring any added value. This text on water ethics claims the opposite; it brings ethical values and principles to bear on current water issues to provide solutions that improve the chances of positive outcomes for all concerned. Ethical concerns come into play in, for example, managing the availability of water and its market value, as a question of economic ethics and of fair access; technical innovation in relation to extraction, treatment and delivery of water includes innovation ethics; managing water conflicts is key for peace ethics; regulating and managing water needs political ethics; and dealing with religious traditions and beliefs about water cannot be done without religious ethics. The text, authored by an international group of experts and approved by the Globethics.net Board of Foundation, shows how ethical values can facilitate the handling of issues and conflicts related to water in an effective, sustainable and inclusive manner. As such the text is a contribution to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6 to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.