Exploratory analysis of the water governance frameworks regarding the OECD principles in two river basins in Brazil and Portugal

Abstract

Water is essential for human and economic development, and ecosystem services. Water crises are primarily governance crises, requiring consideration of multiple scales and actors. This article aims to discuss water governance principles proposed by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in 2015 and 2018, in Brazil and Portugal, including an exploratory analysis of the OECD indicators’ framework and those used in the Protocol of the Water Management Observatory (OGA) in Brazil in 2019. The main objective was to identify critical dimensions for an adequate assessment of water governance, and drivers for water policy improvement in both countries.