Cooperation in the Law of Transboundary Water Resources

This book analyses the legal challenges facing international cooperation on water management in the twenty-first century.

Christina Leb (Author)

9781107035973, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 25 July 2013

366 pages, 2 tables
22.9 x 15.2 x 2.1 cm, 0.65 kg

'Readers will find the final section of Leb's study, addressed to the emerging challenges for transboundary water management, a valuable reflection on the way transboundary water law is increasingly influenced by the evolution of international human rights law and global hydrological threats associated with climate change.' Steve Mumme, The Journal of Water Law

Climate change, population growth and the increasing demand for water are all capable of leading to disputes over transboundary water systems. Dealing with these challenges will require the enhancing of adaptive capacity, the improving of the quality of water-resources management and a reduction in the risk of conflict between riparian states. Such changes can only be brought about through significant international cooperation. Christina Leb's analysis of the duty to cooperate and the related rights and obligations highlights the interlinkages between this duty and the principles of equitable and reasonable utilisation and the prevention of transboundary harm. In doing so, she considers the law applicable to both international watercourses and transboundary aquifers, and explores the complementarities and interaction between the rules of international water law and the related obligations of climate change and human rights law.

Introduction
Part I. Acknowledging Interdependence: 1. Cooperation between sovereign states
2. Development of international water law
Part II. A General Duty to Cooperate: What Does it Mean?: 3. The duty to cooperate and concurrence of principles
4. Informing cooperation
5. Adoption of joint measures
Part III. Dealing with Evolving Challenges: 6. International protection of vital human water needs
7. Emerging international cooperation on global water challenges
8. Conclusion
Annex: consideration of cooperation in international treaties.

Subject Areas: International human rights law [LBBR], International environmental law [LBBP], Public international law [LBB], Law [L]