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  4. Water option contracts for climate change adaptation in Santiago, Chile

Water option contracts for climate change adaptation in Santiago, Chile

Año

2018

Categoría

Agricultura, Crecimiento urbano, Cuenca del Maipo, Cuencas urbanas, Gestión adaptativa recursos hídricos, Recursos hídricos

Autores

Autores: Sebastián Vicuña, Marina Gil, Oscar Melo, Guillermo Donoso, Pablo Merino

Publicado en

Revista: Water International, 43:2, 237-256

Abstract

Climate change–induced extreme events pose an important challenge for urban water managers. In Santiago (Chile), the total cost of such events can be reduced by an option contract that sets ex ante water prices and water volumes to be traded when certain triggering conditions are met. This article discusses two types of option contracts: water leasing to trade water from agriculture to urban uses during droughts; and a savings option contract to reduce urban water consumption during short-term turbidity events. We find that water option contracts are flexible instruments that improve the distribution of hydrological risks.