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ACC2016 ConferenceLisbon Law School22 June 2016
The relevance of Transboundary Water Law and Policy for Climate Change Adaptation
Francesco SindicoDirector, Strathclyde Centre for Environmental Law and GovernanceProgramme Director, Strathclyde LLM in Climate Change Law and Policy
Outline
Map the relevance of transboundary water law and policy for climate change adaptation
o Water and climate change adaptation
o Transboundary water cooperation (TWC)
o TWC, climate change adaptation and the SDGs
o TWC, climate change adaptation and international security
Water and Climate Change Adaptation
o “Higher temperatures and changes in extreme weather conditions are projected to affect availability and distribution of rainfall, snowmelt, river flows and groundwater, and further deteriorate water quality. The poor, who are the most vulnerable, are likely to be adversely affected.” UN‐Water Policy Brief Climate Change Adaptation: The Pivotal Role of Water, 2010
Water and Climate Change Adaptation
Climate Change
Water resources
Water and Climate Change Adaptation
o “Various necessary adaptation measures that deal with climate variability and build upon existing land and water management practices have the potential to create resilience to climate change and to enhance water security and thus directly contribute to development.” UN‐Water Policy Brief Climate Change Adaptation: The Pivotal Role of Water, 2010
Groundwater
Transboundary
Transboundary Water Cooperation (TWC)
40% of the world population lives in transboundary rivers and lake basins 276 transboundary surface water basins and 592 transboundary aquifers
o Examples of problems and challenges in the context of climate change adaptation
• Overexploitation• Pollution• Competition over different uses
Transboundary Water Cooperation (TWC)
o United Nations Watercourse Convention
o UNECE Water Conventiono Bilateral and multilateral
arrangements (more than 200)o Customary international law
o Draft Articles on the Law of Transboundary Aquifers
o UNECE Model Provisions on Transboundary Groundwater
o Bilateral and multilateral arrangements (6)
o Customary international law
TWC normative framework
TWC, climate change adaptation and the SDGs
o What is the link between climate change adaptation and the SDGs?
Failure to adapt to climate change will hinder meeting the SDGs
TWC, climate change adaptation and the SDGs
o How does TWC fit in the relationship between climate change adaptation and the SDGs?
The implementation of the SDGs requires transboundary water cooperation
TWC, climate change adaptation and international security
o How does climate change adaptation relate to international security?
Climate change adaptation can diffuse climate related tensions and security concerns. Loss and damage debate at the heart of the climate /
security debate.
TWC, climate change adaptation and international security
o What is the role of TWC in the relationship between climate change adaptation and international security?
Effective loss and damage policies need to factor in transboundary water cooperation
Conclusions
o Groundwater relevant in the context of climate change adaptationo Failure to adapt to climate change will hinder meeting the SDGs The implementation of the SDGs requires transboundary water
cooperationo Climate change adaptation can diffuse climate related tensions and
security concerns Effective loss and damage policies need to factor in transboundary
water cooperation
Thank you!
Francesco Sindico
o Director, Strathclyde Centre for Environmental Law and Governance
o Programme Director, Strathclyde LLM in Climate Change Law and Policy
