Strengthening Cooperation over Transboundary Groundwater Resources

Groundwater is a vital supply of freshwater, and many of these subsurface freshwater reservoirs are transboundary formations shared amongst two or more nations. This book considers the management and regulation of transboundary groundwater resources, including case studies and recent efforts to engage the international community on best practices and global standards.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 162 pages
Publication date: 29 January 2024
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Groundwater is a vital and indispensable source of freshwater for humanity, accounting for two orders of magnitude more resources than all rivers, lakes, and other surface freshwaters combined. Moreover, approximately half of the world's population relies on groundwater for their basic needs. While these facts are widely recognized, an important revelation has emerged: many of these subsurface freshwater reservoirs are transboundary formations shared by two or more nations. In fact, around 600 transboundary aquifers have been identified globally, underlying the territory of nearly every non-island nation and thriving in both humid and arid environments.

Surprisingly, only a handful of transboundary aquifers worldwide have been subject to formal or informal international agreements. This raises crucial questions about their management, allocation, protection, and the rights and responsibilities of aquifer riparians. The international community is increasingly paying attention to these transboundary groundwater resources, raising concerns about their sustainable utilization, equitable distribution, and conservation.

This book aims to address these complex issues by examining various aspects of the management and regulation of transboundary groundwater resources. It provides a comprehensive analysis of the legal, policy, and technical frameworks that govern these resources, as well as case studies highlighting successful practices and challenges encountered in their governance. The chapters in this book were originally published as a special issue of Water, a leading journal in the field of water resources management.

As communities and nations continue to expand their reliance on these critical sources of freshwater, they will be compelled to address these challenges and develop governance regimes that ensure the sustainable and equitable use of these shared subsurface resources. The chapters in this book offer valuable insights and recommendations for policymakers, researchers, and practitioners working in the field of transboundary water resources management.

Weight: 453g
Dimension: 246 x 174 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367673178