Yannis Kountouris

Bio: Yannis Kountouris is an academic researcher from Imperial College London. The author has contributed to research in topics: Global warming & Water pricing. The author has an hindex of 2, co-authored 2 publications receiving 13 citations.

Using the Choice Experiment Method to Inform Flood Risk Reduction Policies in the Upper Silesia Region of Poland

Abstract: Since the 1990s flood risk and the effects of flooding episodes have reemerged as an important natural hazard concern in central and northern Europe These concerns have also been exacerbated as a result of widespread and ever increasing awareness of global climate change, and significant wetland loss due to rising sea levels Global climate change and wetland loss are expected to increase the frequency and extent of floods in the future (Nichols et al, 1999) These floods are expected to cause significant changes in the current land use and population patterns Contrary to the flooding episodes of the past centuries, recent floods in Europe have milder effects in terms of loss of human life Economic costs of flooding, however, are rapidly increasing as a result of high costs of damages to infrastructure and production in primary, secondary and tertiary sectors, and disruptions to transport In Poland and surrounding countries, the estimated costs of the damages of the floods of 1997 and 2001 are in the region of one billion USD for Poland, and 250 million USD, for the surrounding countries (Brakenridge et al, 1997, 2001) As a consequence of the increasing economic and social costs of floods, European governments have taken a more involved approach in flood risk reduction

A Bird’s Eye View of the Greek Water Situation: The Potential for the Implementation of the EU WFD

Abstract: The Water Framework Directive (WFD) was formulated for addressing the weaknesses of the previous water-related directives. The main steps that WFD involves could be summarized in the setting of ecological standards, the identification of anthropogenic pressures and the adoption of corrective measures. This introductory chapter describes the water situation in Greece and assesses the potential of the timely implementation of the European Union’s (EU) WFD. In this context, the significance of Asopos River Basin (RB) is put into perspective. More analytically, the chapter presents: (a) the employed methodology that enables rapid assessment of the status quo of the water situation in each Greek catchment, as compared to the requirements and targets of the EU WFD, (b) the implementation of this methodology on each of the 14 Greek River Basin Districts (RBDs) and (c) relevant empirical results. The main objective of the chapter is to present the rapid-appraisal methodology that was developed for the estimation of the cost-recovery level for water services in the 14 Greek RBDs. Results from this ‘quick appraisal’ clearly highlight the need for reforms in the current pricing policy and preparation of a package of measures, as proposed in Chaps. 9 and 10, in order for the water bodies to reach good ecological status and the water management to ensure full recovery of the cost of water services as required under article 11 of the WFD.

Measuring people's preferences for cyclone vulnerability reduction measures in Bangladesh

Abstract: Purpose – This paper aims to examine people's preferences for alternative cyclone vulnerability reduction measures in cyclone prone areas of Bangladesh.Design/methodology/approach – A choice experiment (CE) method has been implemented based on the pressure and release (PAR) vulnerability model. Data were collected from a sample of households in two districts of Bangladesh in winter 2008.Findings – The results of a choice experiment (CE) method conducted in selected areas of Bangladesh prone to cyclone hazards indicated that access to resources is viewed as the most influential factor in cyclone vulnerability reduction options. Findings support the pressure and release model (PAR) of vulnerability analysis. Access to training and education and cyclone warning systems are also found to have significant impacts on households' choices of cyclone vulnerability reduction. Structural mitigation measures and access to power and decision making, though significant, were found to have the least impact.Research limi...

Modelling Household Water Demand in Europe - Insights from a Cross-Country Econometric Analysis of EU-28 countries

Abstract: Modelování poptávky po vodě nabralo na významu spolu s rostoucí potřebou lépe rozumět tržním a netržním užitím vody kvůli evaluaci realokace, investičních benefitů a jiných opatření. V Evropě je podle článku 9 Rámcové směrnice o vodě vyžadována implementace takového zpoplatnění vody, které zvýší efektivnost jejího užívání. Cenové nástroje jsou Evropskou komisí (2012) zdůrazňovány jako účinné prostředky k motivaci odběratelů, které kombinují environmentální a ekonomické benefity a zároveň podporují inovace. Nicméně, jakákoliv změna cen vody vyvolá změnu chování domácností a může mít negativní dopad na dostupnost vody pro nízkopříjmové skupiny obyvatelstva. Ekonomické modely jsou důležité pro pochopení, jak může poptávka domácností po vodě reagovat na změnu cen vody. Ekonomové vytvořili velké množství modelů pro odhad poptávky po pitné vodě ze strany domácností. Přestože odhady poptávky byly provedeny v mnoha zemích po celém světě, poznání v Evropě je stále neúplné. Konstrukce poptávek po pitné vodě jsou v Evropě dostupné pro několik zemí, ale poslední studie Evropské agentury pro životní prostředí zdůraznila, že většina studií vznikla před 10 nebo 20 lety.

A Perpetually Interrupted Interbasin Water Transfer as a Modern Greek Drama: Assessing the Acheloos to Pinios Interbasin Water Transfer in the Context of Integrated Water Resources Management

Abstract: Interbasin water transfer is a primary instrument of water resources management directly related with the integrated development of the economy, society and environment. Here we assess the project of the interbasin water transfer from the river Acheloos to the river Pinios basin which has intrigued the Greek society, the politicians and scientists for decades. The set of criteria we apply originate from a previous study reviewing four interbasin water transfers and assessing whether an interbasin water transfer is compatible with the concept of integrated water resources management. In this respect, we assess which of the principles of the integrated water resources management the Acheloos to Pinios interbasin water transfer project does or does not satisfy. While the project meets the criteria of real surplus and deficit, of sustainability and of sound science, i.e., the criteria mostly related to the engineering part, it fails to meet the criteria of good governance and balancing of existing rights with needs, i.e., the criteria associated with social aspects of the project. The non-fulfilment of the latter criteria is the consequence of chronic diseases of the Greek society, which become obvious in the case study.