INEF Policy Brief on local waterconflicts and development cooperation

Growing water scarcity increases competition for the access to the  resource and subsequent conflict potentials in many countries. Water management and related conflicts are increasingly a question of  distributive justice and political legitimacy. The Policy Brief "Scarce Water, Plenty of Conflicts? Local Water Conflicts and the Role of  Development Cooperation" (3/2008) by Annabelle Houdret analyses the causes of intrastate water conflicts and introduces the main challenges  for international development cooperation. By typologising water conflicts and showing corresponding policy options the paper provides an  overview of possible strategies to cope with water conflicts. Finally,  the Policy Brief offers recommendations on how to better identify,  resolve and prevent conflicts in the water sector.

The Policy Brief 3/2008 can be downloaded.