The United Nations Concept of Water as a Human Right: A New Paradigm for Old Problems?

Water history reveals millennia-old struggles over the ownership of water, the pollution and depletion of water sources, and conflicting water uses. What is new is the scale of these problems, particularly access to water for the poorest of the poor. This paper discusses the various conceptual responses to the water problématique, including the commodity, public and social approaches. The human rights aspects of the latter are analysed in some detail in light of the recent General Comment on the Right to Water by a United Nations body. The paper argues that countries have international legal obligations, to respect, protect and fulfil this right without discrimination, that carry clear implications for policy and practice. While the report does not argue that this human right requires the complete decommodification of water or that it provides a ‘magic bullet’ solution, it seeks to show the benefits of a human rights approach and provides some suggestions for implementing the right at the local, national and international levels.     

A Comparative Analysis of Water Governance,Water Management,and Environmental Performance in River Basins

River ecosystems are facing a diversity of threats in many parts of the world. To restore and preserve riverine environments, human societies have established water governance and management responses. However, the means by which a satisfactory environmental state can be achieved in light of different regional contexts is still poorly understood. This article explores whether or not good environmental performance can be achieved through water governance and management in combination with further context factors. To this end, we applied fuzzy set Qualitative Comparative Analysis to examine data on water governance, water management, and environmental performance from a recent international study together with context data on per capita income, corruption, hydro-climate, and use pressure from other datasets. Results demonstrate that the combination of polycentric governance, high per capita income, and low levels of corruption is sufficient for achieving good water management practice. However, a good environmental state in river basins seems to primarily depend upon the overall level of pressure from human use rather than the quality of water management. This demonstrates that water governance and management should be seen as part of a broader societal transformation towards sustainability that focusses on a reduction of pressures in river basins instead of mitigating their impacts.     

The potential limitations on its basin decision-making processes of granting self-defence rights to Father Rhine

ABSTRACT

Recent grants of legal rights to rivers would seem to infuse traditional anthropocentric river governance with greater eco-centrism. Through a thought experiment, we scrutinize this proposition for the Rhine basin. We consider the governance implications of granting (procedural/material) rights to the river and elaborate on their implications for the three highly institutionalized regimes of the Rhine River of water quality, flooding and transport. Since we find that a shift to more eco-centrism has already occurred and since the right granted to the river would not be absolute, we deem radical transformations unlikely.     

广东省水权交易制度研究与设计

水权交易制度建设是新形势下广东省水资源管理适应市场经济体制深化改革、增强社会各界节水意识、优化配置水资源的必行之路。通过开展广东省水权交易制度研究,鲜明地提出了包括可交易水权的定义与内涵,水权交易需要具备水权明晰、计量准确、价值可估三个基本条件,水权交易可分为政府储备水权竞争性配置、区域之间交易、用水户之间交易三种交易类型,以及需要建设水权交易法规、管理、技术论证和交易市场四大配套体系等符合广东省省情和水情现状的"一三三四"省级水权交易制度的顶层设计框架,为广东省水权交易制度建设和水市场培育提供重要的理论依据和指导方向。     

Water as a Human Right: The Understanding of Water Rights in Palestine

The international community has affirmed the human right to water in a number of international treaties, declarations and other documents. Most notably, in November 2002 the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights adopted General Comment No. 15 on the right to water, setting out general standards and obligations related to the right to water. This paper analyses if and to what extent the UN concept is acknowledged in Palestine while focusing (a) on water rights allocation between Palestine and its neighbour Israel, taking the commonly shared Mountain Aquifer as an example; and (b) the governmental obligations with regard to the human right to water which broadly are to be categorized in obligations to respect, protect and fulfil this right. The paper analyses whether the institutional setting within the Palestinian water sector is appropriate to meet the challenge of the UN concept. The main obstacles and challenges facing strategic and coordinated governmental action towards the UN concept are discussed. While outlining the most important characteristics of the Palestinian water sector, the criteria of the UN concepts are evaluated. Finally, the paper discusses the precondition for the implementation of the human right to water in Palestine.     

制度文化水危机--兼论水的治道变革

水安全与水危机体现的是人与自然相互依存的关系.自然气候突变和人类不当活动都会产生并潜伏致灾因子,引发水危机.水危机的产生与演化涉及制度、传统文化、人文价值等深层次原因.解决水危机必须推动水的治道变革,推进文化复兴与环境道德重建,重构政府治理模式.     

关于石羊河流域水权制度改革的调查研究

水权制度改革是保证流域生态治理取得成功的关键措施,公众参与与公众反响是保证和衡量流域水权制度改革成效的重要因素。在统计分析283份问卷调研数据的基础上,从石羊河流域水权改革宣传与政策落实、分配水权和现行水价、水权改革成效满意度以及水权交易与水市场建设等方面分析了公众反响结果,总结指出了石羊河流域水权制度改革存在的问题并提出建议,以期为石羊河流域后期重点治理提供有益的参考借鉴,从而对石羊河流域生态环境改善和经济社会持续发展起到积极的促进作用。     

Monitoring access to water in rural areas based on the human right to water framework: a local level case study in Nicaragua

Much effort has gone into the recognition of the human right to water. Without doubt, this milestone influences governance and decision making processes at many scales so it is essential now to shift the discussion from the legal and conceptual framework to practice. Along this line, the article proposes a methodology for monitoring access to water in rural areas using the framework of this human right. The practicality of the approach is demonstrated by a case study carried out in Nicaragua. Different criteria of the right to water were included in surveys and structured interviews that were conducted in rural households and water committees, respectively. A discussion analyzes the advantages and challenges of using this framework. Finally, the approach provides elements for policy making that can be used by different stakeholders in the development and human rights sectors.     

Stakeholder evaluation of the feasibility of watershed management alternatives,using Integrated Lake Basin Management principles

Containing more than 90% of the liquid fresh water on our planet's surface, lakes are used for a wide range of human needs. Managing them for sustainable use also requires consideration of a multitude of scientific, socioeconomic and governance issues. Integrated Lake Basin Management (ILBM) is a comprehensive approach for achieving sustainable management of lakes and reservoirs through gradual, continuous and holistic improvement of basin governance, involving sustained efforts for improvement of six governance ‘pillars’ (Policy; Institutions: Stakeholders; Knowledge; Technology; Finances). This study demonstrates that ILBM is applicable not only to lentic water systems (lakes, reservoirs), but also to the upstream and downstream water systems (rivers, tributaries) of which they are a part. Two watersheds in eastern Pennsylvania (USA), designated as ‘Critical Water Planning Areas,’ are used as a case study for this application, with a focus on the ILBM Stakeholder pillar. The primary objective was to rank the feasibility of alternative management options for these watersheds on the basis of watershed stakeholder perceptions and discussions. The results of this process and the analyses undertaken in this study are discussed, including the management options ultimately identified, the lessons learned in the evaluation process, and means for improving the process for future evaluations.     

变化环境下的水源涵养能力评估研究进展

水源涵养功能属于生态学与水文学的交错领域，是近年来的研究热点。水源涵养功能包涵广泛，水源涵养能力是针对不同区域特点和具体研究对象对水源涵养功能的量化评估。将水源涵养能力定义为一个区域的最大持水能力，与区域的气候、土壤、植被等因素有关，并且由区域持或蓄的水量应能够补给地表或地下水，为区域的工农业发展提供相对稳定的水源，讨论了区域水源涵养能力的组成和影响因素，分析了变化环境下气候条件和人类活动对水源涵养能力的影响。此外，水源涵养能力表征在干旱区和湿润区有所不同。基于上述观点，总结了水源涵养能力的评估方法及其适用条件与优缺点，并在此基础上，进一步讨论了水源涵养能力评估的研究方向，以期为生态水文学发展和环境治理提供科学参考。     

我国水权制度建设与当前水资源管理制度的关系及问题分析

分别从区域水权制度与总量控制制度的关系及问题、用户水权与取水许可制度的关系及问题、流域水权与跨流域调水的关系及问题、其他涉水管理制度与法规体系同水权制度的关系及问题等4个方面进行了论述。指出目前我国以水行政管理为主体的水资源管理制度与水权制度理论不协调的问题,并提出对现有的水资源管理体制机制进行改革的建议。     

State-of-the-art review of transboundary water governance in the Euphrates–Tigris river basin

This article reviews the state of the art of transboundary water governance in the Euphrates–Tigris river basin, which is characterized by both political confrontation and cooperative institutional development. First, research on the physical characteristics of the basin is presented, with references to the literature on large-scale water development projects that underpin transboundary water interactions. Then, contending approaches to transboundary water governance are discussed, with specific references to the evolution of institutions. Finally, bearing in mind that transboundary water governance in the basin occurs in volatile political circumstances, current issues such as control of the water infrastructure by non-state violent actors and protection of water during armed conflict are scrutinized.     

Water Governance 2.0: A Review and Second Generation Research Agenda

Water scholars and practitioners generally agree that improving water governance is the key to addressing water insecurity in developing countries. We review the literature on water governance and argue for a second-generation research agenda, which pays more attention to the study of incentive structures, is multi and inter-disciplinary in orientation and with clear policy implications. We then illustrate how theories drawn from public economics, new institutional economics, political economy and public administration can help diagnose the challenges of integrated water resources management, improving efficiency of water utilities, privatization of utilities and public-private partnerships, water pricing reforms, virtual waters/water trading, among others. We conclude that these tools can help advance the second-generation research agenda on water governance.     

A Systematic Review of Water Vulnerability Assessment Tools

The important relationship between health and water necessitates consideration of water vulnerability. Water vulnerability is contingent upon biophysical and social drivers operating at multiple scales, and is difficult to assess. This paper offers a systematic review of 50 water vulnerability assessment tools. We identify and synthesise the contents of these assessment tools (710 indicators) into five dimensions and 22 sub-dimensions and consider the extent to which they reflect environmental and social aspects. The findings are discussed in light of a holistic approach to water resources management, and specifically Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM). Significant opportunities exist to enhance the efficacy of water vulnerability assessment tools by incorporating indicators and operational measures for social considerations (e.g., adaptation, institutions, governance) that are developed outside the context of water.     

我国水治理现状评估与展望

从资源维、社会维、经济维、生态维、环境维5个维度,明确了我国水治理的目标,并系统设计了我国水治理评估指标体系;采用层级等权赋权法和目标一致性法,综合评估我国水治理的现状,并预测2020—2050年水治理的变化趋势。结果表明,改革开放以来,我国水治理指数从低于0. 235快速提升至接近0. 70,其中2010—2015年是我国水治理的加速期,水治理指数提升了50%左右;预期2020年我国水治理指数将超过0. 85,实现水资源消耗利用与经济发展协调; 2030年我国水治理指数将接近0. 95,实现水环境污染排放与经济发展协调,水安全保障能力显著提升,基本实现水治理目标; 2050年我国水治理指数将达到最优值1,实现水资源利用、水污染排放、水灾害损失、水生态退化面积的"零增长",全面实现人水和谐。     

基于政府? IT?治理的水务? IT?服务管理平台

在信息技术已成为推进建设责任型、服务型政府的重要技术手段和实现方法的大背景下,运维管理在IT?价值链中的作用日趋突出,重视和建立? IT?治理结构是确保信息化在水务事业发展中的作用与价值的一项重要任务.提出依托信息技术,建设融入? IT?治理结构的水务IT服务管理平台,是实现治理构想的重要实践.详细阐述实际开发建设的服务管理平台的架构和功能设计,分析和总结平台在实际的? IT?运维管理活动中的作用与效益.     

Water Pricing in Irrigated Agriculture

Access to water is viewed as a basic human right, a social necessity and a critical environmental resource in spite of the fact that water also has its own financial and economic values. Thus, the selection of set prices and pricing mechanisms addressing these contradicting views is remarkably complicated. On the other hand, water pricing is typically viewed as a good means to cover initial costs and sustain resources invested in water systems development, especially irrigated agriculture. Additionally, the cost of water services needs to be reasonable enough and linked to the amount of water consumed to encourage conservation. This paper illustrates criteria for equitable cost sharing, which include economic justification, efficiency and equity as well as users' acceptance. Elements of agricultural water pricing are also discussed. These elements comprise: the cost of water services, which is the total cost associated with irrigated agricultural systems development; the value of water, which reflects water's economic, social, environmental, cultural and religious values in the society; and the cost recovery mechanisms, which are the organizational and administrative measures to implement agreed upon policies to value water and services and make the collections.     

Water governance, resilience and global environmental change - a reassessment of integrated water resources management (IWRM).

Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) is gaining increased acceptance among water policy makers and researchers as a way to create more effective governance institutions, leading towards integrated water development solutions for poverty alleviation, while addressing social, economic and environmental aspects of water challenges. However, global environmental change poses fundamental challenges to water policy makers as it implies vast scientific, and hence, policy uncertainty; its implications for international water governance initiatives remain unspecified, effectively hindering dialogue on how current IWRM initiatives should be modified. This paper addresses the lag between our growing understanding of resilient interconnected freshwater resources (and their governance) and the reforms being promoted by policy makers. In particular, there is a need to rethink some of IWRM's key components to better tackle the challenges posed by the complex behaviour of interconnected social-ecological systems and global environmental change.     

Water, People, and Sustainability—A Systems Framework for Analyzing and Assessing Water Governance Regimes

Freshwater resources might become the most limited resource in the future due to rising demands, climate change, and the degradation of aquatic ecosystems. While the urgency of this challenge is uncontested, water governance regimes still struggle to employ suitable responses. They lack of: taking a comprehensive perspective on water systems; focusing on social actors, their actions, needs, intentions, and norms as drivers of water systems; engaging in a discourse on tangible goals to provide direction for governance efforts; and promoting a comprehensive perspective on water sustainability that equally recognizes depletion, justice, and livelihood issues in the long-term. We present an approach that intends to overcome these limitations by putting the focus on what people do with water, and why, along with the impacts of these doings. First, we outline an integrated approach to water governance regimes, and then, we present a holistic set of principles by which to evaluate sustainable water governance. Solution-oriented research applying this approach integrates natural sciences and engineering perspectives on water systems with social science studies on water governance, while also specifying and applying normative principles for water sustainability. The approach we develop herein can be used to reform and innovate existing water governance regimes as well as stimulate transformative governance research.     

Unravelling Stakeholder Perceptions to Enable Adaptive Water Governance in Dryland Systems

Adaptive water governance seeks to increase a social-ecological system’s adaptive capacity in the face of uncertainty and change. This is especially important in non-linear dryland systems that are already exposed to water scarcity and increasing degradation. Conservation of water ecosystem services is key for increasing adaptive capacity in drylands, however, how stakeholders perceive water ecosystem services greatly affects how they are managed, as well as the potential for adaptive water governance. This paper focuses on identifying the system’s potential for enabling adaptive water governance by analysing different stakeholder perceptions on water ecosystem services. It takes the Rio del Carmen watershed as a case study, offering important insights for an increasing number of water-scarce regions. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with key stakeholders in the watershed in order to unravel their perceptions and understand the governance context. We found disparities in how stakeholders perceive water ecosystem services have led to water overexploitation and several conflicts over water access. Our results indicate that stakeholder perceptions have a major influence on the system’s adaptability, as they shape the acquisition of water ecosystem services. Divergent stakeholder perceptions act as an important barrier to collaboration. Generating and sharing knowledge could facilitate the development of a common vision, allowing all actors to co-create information about water ecosystem services and the system state, engaging them in a participatory process, suitable for their context, and that will better support adaptive water governance.