Law of the River

A healthy water sector has been identified as a crucial contributing factor in reaching and maintaining a healthy society, from an environmental, human health and economic perspective. However, freshwater resources are under increasing pressure and climate change is expected to have a substantial impact on the hydrological cycle and freshwater resources. Considering the fact that the territories of 145 States worldwide, and 60 per cent of EU territory, run through transboundary lakes and river basins, their good governance is essential in tackling the challenges ahead. To this end, solid inter-regional and international upstream-downstream cooperation mechanisms are necessary. 'The Law of the River' takes a comparative perspective by analysing the relevant legal and policy frameworks in the European Union and the United States, with the goal of providing Critical Success Factors to transboundary river basin management. The main focus of this book is on water quantity management, specifically floods, scarcity and droughts.