We provide insight and expertise regarding complex problems involving multiple stakeholders and comprehensive processes. We work with individuals as well as local, state, county, federal, and tribal governments, production-based businesses, and non-profit groups. 

Learn how we can help you find long-term resolutions for your local or regional water and environmental concerns.

Email us: k.russo@globalwaterpolicyconsulting.com

Scam Prevention: We will NEVER charge our clients without a formal contract or prior to our working with that client.

Services

  • guidance for climate change policy TO ENSURE CLIMATE RESILIENCE

  • ONE-ON-ONE STAKEHOLDER DISCUSSIONS TO TALK ABOUT THEIR VALUES AND GOALS REGARDING ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES IN THEIR AREA

  • SMALL GROUP DISCUSSIONS TO ADDRESS MUTUAL CONCERNS, GOALS, PROJECTS, AND POTENTIAL FUNDING SOURCES

  • ASSISTANCE IN THE ESTABLISHMENT OF MULTI-STAKEHOLDER PARTNERSHIPS AND STRATEGIES TO ACHIEVE long-term GOALS

  • ECOSYSTEM SERVICES ASSESSMENTS

  • WORKSHOPS TO TRAIN STAKEHOLDERS AND POLICY MAKERS ABOUT VALUES-DRIVEN APPROACHES

  • PUBLIC SPEAKING ON VALUES-DRIVEN APPROACHES OF STAKEHOLDER NEEDS

  • both data-driven research and qualitative analysis on stakeholder values

  • Assistance toward the objectives of the united nations millennium ecosystem ASSESSMENt and united nations directives

Case Studies

In a study conducted between 2011 and 2013 Kira Russo found that, amid various political conditions, water managers are not always able to include all values that their communities hold for water. The research lends to the larger debate within the field of water policy regarding how water managers want to allocate water resources as opposed to how they do allocate them. Russo interviewed water managers around the world and found that they tend to regard monetary uses of water as the most important values. These values include, but are not limited to, uses for municipalities, agriculture, recreation, energy, mining, ranching, and industry. Navigation was considered important in places where there is surface water. In addition to these monetary values, Russo found that 90 percent of the water managers she surveyed value water for environmental uses. All of the managers surveyed stated that they want clean water for future generations.  

Russo's study reveals that water managers believe that their current frameworks allow them to represent the values they would like to incorporate; however, upon further questioning, the managers addressed lack of money, lack of community support, political interference, lack of transparency, and lack of accountability as issues that prevent them from acting in accordance with values they want to include. Water managers also pointed to lack of coordination and disjuncture between local and regional governments as problematic with regard to allowing them to include various values. Russo found that many of the values that managers were unable to include were non-monetary in nature, despite the goals of the United Nations Millennium Ecosystem Assessment to include community and traditional values. Overall, most water managers could not inherently include values that exist outside a monetary framework.  

This study was meant to serve the interest of water managers worldwide. It addresses whether current water practices represent societies or whether managers are limited in this representation. Understanding the difference between social values and managerial practice allows us to begin a discussion regarding accountability, trust in government, and justice as fairness in the field of water policy.