New Perspectives on Transboundary Water Governance: Interdisciplinary Approaches and Global Case Studies

This book presents a novel examination of transboundary water governance, drawing on global case studies and applying new theoretical approaches.

Excessive consumption and degradation of natural resources can either heighten the risks of conflicts or encourage cooperation within and among countries, and this is particularly pertinent to the governance of water. This book fills a lacuna by providing an interdisciplinary examination of transboundary water governance, presenting a range of novel and emerging theoretical approaches. Acknowledging that issues vary across different regions, the book provides a global view from South and Central America, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, with the case studies offering civil society and public managers concrete situations that indicate difficulties and successes in water sharing between bordering countries. The volume highlights the links between natural resources, political geography, international politics, and development, with chapters delving into the role of paradiplomacy, the challenges of climate change adaptation, and the interconnections between aquifers and international development. With rising demand for water in the face of climate change, this book aims to stimulate further theoretical, conceptual, and methodological debate in the field of transboundary water governance to ensure peaceful and fair access to shared water resources.

This book will be of interest to students and scholars of water resource governance from a wide variety of disciplines, including geography, international relations, global development, and law. It will also be of interest to professionals and policymakers working on natural resource governance and international cooperation.

Luis Paulo Batista da Silva is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Geography and the Program of Post-graduation in Geography at the Federal University of Bahia (UFBA), Brazil.

Wagner Costa Ribeiro is a Professor of the Program of Post-graduation in Human Geography in the Department of Geography at the University of São Paulo, Brazil. He is the coordinator of the Transboundary Waters Work Thematic Area of WATERLAT-GOBACIT.

Isabella Battistello Espíndola is a Senior Officer at the International Water Association (IWA) in London, United Kingdom.