Water cooperation and conflict
Decisions about how to share the water in rivers, lakes and groundwater aquifers that span across community and state borders are intrinsically political. Who gets what, when and how? Without cooperation, tensions can grow. Water resources are under growing pressure, with economic growth leading to increasing demand and the effects of climate change often resulting in less supply. IHE Delft fosters transboundary water cooperation and water diplomacy through a wide range of research and activities.
Though Earth is made up of 70% water, there is very little freshwater available for human use in rivers, lakes and groundwater. Furthermore, the water that is available is distributed unevenly, with some areas having lots while others, for example the Middle East, the Sahel and parts of Central Asia, are arid or semi-arid.
The effects of climate change, combined with increasing demand caused by population and economic growth, mean that dry areas are becoming even drier, with shorter wet seasons. Areas that are used to being able to take a plentiful supply of water for granted face shortages or risk doing so in the future. And all areas face an increase in extreme weather events, threatening people’s lives and livelihoods.
Despite this, globally, cross-border water cooperation is more common than water conflict. This is because countries have acknowledged that engaging in conflict about water is a losing game: it has negative effects not only on the water supply, but also on bilateral and regional relations, trade, financial relations, cultural exchanges and many other areas.
Water diplomacy helps countries settle disputes and contain tensions before they grow into conflict. There are many examples of countries cooperating peacefully about transboundary water resources, and some examples of countries clashing over water
Conflicts related to water are more common at local levels, with violence related to protests against poor water supply or to tensions between groups with different needs that depend on the same diminishing source of water – for example farmers and herders. Often, a root cause of such tensions is a lack of effective governance and effective dispute-resolution mechanisms.
IHE Delft facilitates and strengthens water cooperation and water diplomacy through a wide range of research, education and training activities. The Institute has comprehensive experience in supporting capacity development related to institutional arrangements and legal frameworks, as well as in negotiation training and support to joint fact-finding activities. Our work in this field promotes fair, strong, inclusive, effective and efficient governance arrangements as key to the sustainable, equitable and peaceful management of transboundary water resources – to the benefit of people, countries and ecosystems.
Tools for water diplomacy
Tools for water diplomacy range from traditional diplomatic interventions such as negotiations for joint agreements to more technical measures such as fact-finding missions and joint monitoring. It also includes exchanges between non-state actors such as scientists, religious leaders, non-governmental organizations and civilians. This makes water diplomacy not only a diplomats’ affair; the choice of tools and activities depends on the issue, the context, and the concerned stakeholders.
Independent actors such as IHE Delft can play an important role in water diplomacy by, for example, providing a forum for negotiation and dialogue among state and non-state actors from concerned countries, providing policy support and policy advice, mediation, supporting capacity development and technical or scientific measures for building trust.
If you are interested in making use of IHE Delft’s services and expertise in water diplomacy, cooperation and conflict, please e-mail us via [email protected] or contact one of our experts listed below.
IHE Delft’s MSc in Water and Development offers students interested in water cooperation and conflict several opportunities to study the topic, including by choosing the Governance and Management disciplinary profile.
Podcast
In two years, two-thirds of the world's population may face water shortages that will lead to crises of epic proportions from water refugees to potential armed conflicts over water supply. Yet the global water crisis does not typically get regular press attention. Listen to Susanne Schmeier's intervention at 'The Doorstep' hosted by the Carnegie Council.
Meet our experts on water cooperation and conflict
IHE Delft’s international staff use their expertise to improve the global water situation. Some of them are listed here – find more in our staff directory.
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