Chapter 21 Hydrodiplomacy and Environmental Security

摘要

This chapter presents the concept of hydrodiplomacy and environmental security. Integrated shared water resources management aims at sharing and optimizing water resources in a sustainable and secured environment. Its implementation to transboundary systems is challenged by continuous changes in hydrology and hydraulic systems, society, climate and the environment. These changes create a milieu of complex management, turbulent society and vulnerable resources. The depletion of water resources, overexploitation, droughts, pollution and socio-economic development has caused both conflicts and cooperation. Sharing water is crucial to meet the goals of equitable allocation and efficient management of water resources as well as environmental integrity and security. Hydrodiplomacy and water sharing principles are presented with a focus on conflicts prevention, management and solution approaches. Sustainable sharing of water resources encompasses environmental security because of regional and global environmental concerns which may lead to conflicts.