When the water runs dry: supporting adaptive governance in transboundary river basins. Issue 3 (3rd April 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Blumstein, Sabine; Petersen-Perlman, Jacob D.
• Is Part Of: Water international. Volume 46:Issue 3(2021)
• Page Start: 306
• Page End: 324
• Publication Date: 2021-04-03
• Subjects: transboundary river basins -- adaptive governance -- climate change -- adaptation -- Colorado -- Orange-Senqu; Water -- Periodicals; Water-supply -- Periodicals; 333.9105
• DOI: 10.1080/02508060.2021.1877984
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0250-8060

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Impacts of global climate change will primarily be felt through the water cycle. Adaptation to changing conditions in transboundary basins is an important precondition to ensure regional sustainable development and political stability. However, adaptation measures in one basin country can affect water resources and adaptation options elsewhere, therefore often requiring coordinated or joint responses by riparian countries. The paper examines the potential of climate policy instruments in strengthening adaptation to changes in transboundary river basins in North America's Colorado River Basin and Southern Africa's Orange-Senqu River Basin. It finds that climate policy instruments are yet rarely employed to jointly manage adaptation in shared rivers but nonetheless harbour great potential.