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Risks, Uncertainty and Climate Confusion in the Murray–Darling Basin Reforms

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  • Jason Alexandra

    (Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods, Charles Darwin University, Darwin NT 0909, Australia2School of Global, Urban and Social Studies, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia3Alexandra and Associates, 16 Homestead Road Eltham, Victoria 3095, Australia)

Abstract

Risks and uncertainties arising from climate change are increasingly recognized as significant challenges for water governance. To support adaptive approaches, critical examinations of water policy practices and rationalities are needed. This paper focuses on the treatment of climate change in Australia’s Murray–Darling Basin (MDB) reforms over the past decade. While the MDB faces potentially significant drying trends due to climate change no reductions in future water availability due to climate change were formalized in the 2012 Basin Plan — a regulatory instrument agreed to by Australia’s National Parliament. The background, key dimensions and possible reasons for this decision are examined. Possible reasons for not formally reducing water deemed available in the future include the complexity and uncertainty of climate science, the cultural construction of “climate normal” based on long-term averages, and institutional settings that reinforce dominant “hydro-logical” approaches and rationalities. Minimizing the political, legal and financial consequences of attributing reductions in water allocations to climate change are also potential reasons. The case of the MDB, as outlined in this paper, demonstrates some of the ways climate change is causing systemic challenges for adaptive water governance, and that innovative approaches need to be embraced, including better processes for institutionalizing science/policy integration.

Suggested Citation

  • Jason Alexandra, 2017. "Risks, Uncertainty and Climate Confusion in the Murray–Darling Basin Reforms," Water Economics and Policy (WEP), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 3(03), pages 1-21, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:wsi:wepxxx:v:03:y:2017:i:03:n:s2382624x16500387
    DOI: 10.1142/S2382624X16500387
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Jason Alexandra, 2021. "Navigating the Anthropocene’s rivers of risk—climatic change and science-policy dilemmas in Australia’s Murray-Darling Basin," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 165(1), pages 1-21, March.
    2. Guy M. Robinson & Bingjie Song, 2023. "Managing Water for Environmental Provision and Horticultural Production in South Australia’s Riverland," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-20, July.
    3. Crispin Cunya, Marianella & Ponce Oliva, Roberto Daniel & Rendon Schneir, Eric & Arias Montevechio, Esteban Eduardo, 2023. "Modelamiento hidro-económico de los efectos del cambio climático y política en la agricultura andina," Economia Agraria y Recursos Naturales, Spanish Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 23(01), June.
    4. Shoukai Sun & Yuantong Jiang & Shuanning Zheng, 2020. "Research on Ecological Infrastructure from 1990 to 2018: A Bibliometric Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-23, March.

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