Water and Corruption – A key theme for human development and environmental sustainability
The Global Corruption Report 2008 - Corruption in the Water Sector
What is the Global Corruption Report?
Transparency International
The Water Integrity Network
Water and Corruption – A key theme for human development and environmental sustainability
Transparent, just and effective governance of water is a prerequisite for all human development and for environmental sustainability. But the challenges are daunting and corruption is at the heart of the problem.
- More than 1 billion people live without safe drinking water, more than 2.6 billion without adequate sanitation. Unclean water and poor sanitation have claimed more lives over the past century than any other cause. Corruption is a major roadblock to solving this human development crisis. A study of 21 water utilities in Africa, revealed that nearly two thirds of their operating costs were due to corruption.
- Water is indispensable for all food production. Irrigated agriculture produces 40% of the world’s food on only 17% of the agricultural land. An increase in world food production will come through irrigation. Changing from rain-fed agriculture to man managed irrigation requires an impeccable governance system, with maximum transparency and accountability to all agents.
- Hydropower is a vital source of energy, but as in all large infrastructure projects significant corruption can occur from the policy and planning stage through construction to the actual electricity production. Corruption invariably reduces the benefits from a project while at the same time increasing the human, economic and ecological damages.
- Widespread overuse of water, often aggravated by corruption, is endangering the balance of ecosystems around the world, intensifying local water shortages and increasing the risks of poverty and conflict that come with it.
The corruption risks encountered in the water sector are as imminent as they are diverse. They range from petty bribery in water delivery to procurement related looting – from covering up industrial pollution to manipulation and distortion of fundamental water management and allocation policies. This makes curing corruption in water governance a priority for policy-makers and practitioners around the world.
The Global Corruption Report 2008 - Corruption in the Water Sector
Transparency International’s Global Corruption Report 2008 takes up the key theme of corruption in the water sector and, more specifically, covers corruption in:
- Drinking water provision and sanitation
- Irrigation and agriculture
- Hydropower
- Water pollution, environment and sustainable use
The report provides a quick introduction to the major issues with regard to water and corruption, then explores in depth the different types of corruption prevalent in the sector. It compiles empirical evidence that maps the scope and consequences of corruption. It presents country case studies from all over the world to illustrate how corruption around water provision and use affects people’s lives. It offers options for policy reform, promising advocacy strategies for concerned stakeholders and priorities for future research
Contributors include international water and development experts, policy analysts, researchers and corruption specialists from organisations such as the International Water Management Institute, Water Aid, World Bank, Columbia University, Fridtjof Nansen Institute and the International Water and Sanitation Centre.
This makes the Global Corruption Report 2008 essential reading for policy-makers and donors, a key reference for researchers and scholars and an indispensable sourcebook for civil society and practitioners concerned about promoting good governance and stopping corruption the water sector.
The report is produced by Transparency International in collaboration with the Water Integrity Network (WIN). It will be published in mid-2008 by Cambridge University Press.
What is the Global Corruption Report?
The Global Corruption Report is an annual assessment of the state of corruption around the world, produced by Transparency International. With more than sixty essays, case studies, country reports and research briefs, the Global Corruption Report is unique in its comprehensiveness, analytical grounding, global reach and practical policy focus.
Each year, the report draws together analyses from experts and practitioners around the world to explore the causes and consequences of corruption in a specific sector and to present policy options for reform.
More information on the Global Corruption Report: http://www.transparency.org/gcr
Transparency International (TI) is the global civil society organization leading the fight against corruption. Through more than 90 chapters worldwide and an international secretariat in Berlin, Germany, TI raises awareness of the damaging effects of corruption and works with partners in government, business and civil society to develop and implement effective measures to tackle it.
The Water Integrity Network, WIN, whose secretariat is hosted by TI, is fighting corruption in water worldwide in order to reduce poverty. The WIN is an open and inclusive global network that promotes anti-corruption activities and coalition-building at the local, regional and global levels, and between actors from civil society, private and public sectors, media and governments.
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