The role of uncertainties in the design of international water treaties: an historical perspective

Water is one natural resource whose management is especially susceptible to uncertainties, many of which are being exasperated by climate change. Some of these uncertainties originate from knowledge deficits in physical conditions while others relate to behavioral and social variability related to w...

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Main Authors: Drieschova, Alena, Fischhendler, I., Giordano, Mark
Format: Journal Article
Language:Inglés
Published: Springer 2011
Subjects:
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/40416
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author Drieschova, Alena
Fischhendler, I.
Giordano, Mark
author_browse Drieschova, Alena
Fischhendler, I.
Giordano, Mark
author_facet Drieschova, Alena
Fischhendler, I.
Giordano, Mark
author_sort Drieschova, Alena
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description Water is one natural resource whose management is especially susceptible to uncertainties, many of which are being exasperated by climate change. Some of these uncertainties originate from knowledge deficits in physical conditions while others relate to behavioral and social variability related to water supply and use. However, to our knowledge no quantitative analysis of how uncertainties have been translated into transboundary water treaty structures exists. The present paper partially fills this gap through an examination of how uncertainty has been reflected in basin specific transboundary treaties and how that reflection has changed over the last century. While we could identify only minor trends in the frequency with which uncertainties are mentioned in treaties, we did find two clear patterns in the strategies adopted to deal with them. First, treaties seem to adopt a portfolio approach that spreads the dangers of uncertainty by concurrently including several management strategies simultaneously. Second, there is a trend towards more openended strategies in recent decades, rather than hard codification of rules as had earlier been more common.
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spelling CGSpace404162025-06-17T08:23:17Z The role of uncertainties in the design of international water treaties: an historical perspective Drieschova, Alena Fischhendler, I. Giordano, Mark international waters water management treaties agreements water allocation Water is one natural resource whose management is especially susceptible to uncertainties, many of which are being exasperated by climate change. Some of these uncertainties originate from knowledge deficits in physical conditions while others relate to behavioral and social variability related to water supply and use. However, to our knowledge no quantitative analysis of how uncertainties have been translated into transboundary water treaty structures exists. The present paper partially fills this gap through an examination of how uncertainty has been reflected in basin specific transboundary treaties and how that reflection has changed over the last century. While we could identify only minor trends in the frequency with which uncertainties are mentioned in treaties, we did find two clear patterns in the strategies adopted to deal with them. First, treaties seem to adopt a portfolio approach that spreads the dangers of uncertainty by concurrently including several management strategies simultaneously. Second, there is a trend towards more openended strategies in recent decades, rather than hard codification of rules as had earlier been more common. 2011-04 2014-06-13T14:47:37Z 2014-06-13T14:47:37Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/40416 en Limited Access Springer Drieschova, A.; Fischhendler, I.; Giordano, Mark. 2011. The role of uncertainties in the design of international water treaties: an historical perspective. Climatic Change, 105(3-4):387-408. doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10584-010-9896-4
spellingShingle international waters
water management
treaties
agreements
water allocation
Drieschova, Alena
Fischhendler, I.
Giordano, Mark
The role of uncertainties in the design of international water treaties: an historical perspective
title The role of uncertainties in the design of international water treaties: an historical perspective
title_full The role of uncertainties in the design of international water treaties: an historical perspective
title_fullStr The role of uncertainties in the design of international water treaties: an historical perspective
title_full_unstemmed The role of uncertainties in the design of international water treaties: an historical perspective
title_short The role of uncertainties in the design of international water treaties: an historical perspective
title_sort role of uncertainties in the design of international water treaties an historical perspective
topic international waters
water management
treaties
agreements
water allocation
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/40416
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