Abstract
This paper reports on a systematic review of the literature around governance and water infrastructure in England to analyse data on the application, or absence, of justice themes. It finds that, unlike in other sectors, justice thinking is far from embedded in the water sector here and whilst there are signs of a discussion there is a lack of sophistication and coherence around the debate. More positively, the research suggests that the concept of justice can be used as a tool or framework to help air and address these complex issues and in doing so is an advance on the concept of sustainability. By exploring the issues in this way, the study reveals a wealth of opportunities to use justice-thinking to improve infrastructure decision making. It is suggested a justice approach is the next step as our thinking matures beyond sustainability, improving the decisions we make for people and planet.
Highlights
Water is a precious, life essential resource that, in England, a country often maligned for its wet weather, is often taken for granted
A systematic literature review was undertaken to identify and evaluate the extent that justice considerations were evident in literature on governance of water infrastructure in England
The case was made in the opening paragraphs of this paper for the need for justice in how we think of and improve our water infrastructure in England
Summary
Life essential resource that, in England, a country often maligned for its wet weather, is often taken for granted. Large and densely populated parts of England have lower annual rainfall than Sydney and Mexico City” [1] Added to this geographical disparity, England is facing changing weather patterns, leading to climate-induced water shortages and irreversible damage to its ecosystems as a combination of climate change, population growth and unsustainable practices [2]. The cost of infrastructure needs to be assessed both financially and more broadly to include how in providing for humans we impact on future generations or how we may devastate non-human life. In addressing these issues we are making choices about ‘winners and losers’ [3,4].
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