Conceptualizing Water System Justice in the Anthropocene

Given the growing demand for water justice, the systemic nature of the water problem, the fragmented water governance and disparate strands of water justice literature, there is an urgent need to conceptualize and operationalize water system justice. Hence, we ask: What kind of water system justice framework is needed in the Anthropocene? Our Water System Justice (WSJ) approach builds on the water justice scholarship and Earth System Justice to argue that water justice must be ideal (not conservative) and include recognition and epistemic justice; must use the 3I's (interspecies, intergenerational, and intragenerational justice) framework to prevent significant harm to others; and be integrated within procedural and substantive justice. We operationalize WSJ through: (i) Ends aiming at just water boundaries and ambient water standards to ensure we live within our water means, while meeting the water-related human rights of all; and (ii) Means: Addressing the driving causes of water problems and inequality; ensuring equitable (re)allocation of water resources, where water is first deducted to meet minimum needs (and the customary rights of Indigenous Peoples) within ecological boundaries, and the remaining water is fairly distributed among different uses and users; equitable allocation of harm/risk; and allocating responsibilities fairly among different actors. We thereby shift the focus from merely highlighting injustices to developing a comprehensive systemic approach to justice that is subject to contextual debate to ensure procedural justice.