The value of water for the landscape and the rural environment

Abstract

The paper illustrates and discusses the methodologies for the economic evaluation of water in the rural territory, in the light of the recent evolution of the legal framework, with the implementation of directive 60/2000. In the application of the directive, a major role is played by the economic analysis and by the concept of full cost of water. The full cost includes financial costs, opportunity costs and environmental costs. Such issues are particularly important for agriculture, also taking into account the evolution of the sector towards a multifunctional role. The solution envisaged for the present evaluation problems is based on a parallel and consistent development of methodologies and operational protocols aimed at the problems raised by the decision-makers.