Dai, Liping; van Rijswick, Marleen; Schmidt, Bram --- "Towards a sustainable, balanced and equitable allocation of water use rights" [2017] ELECD 1476; in Hollo, J. Erkki (ed), "Water Resource Management and the Law" (Edward Elgar Publishing, 2017) 151

Book Title: Water Resource Management and the Law

Editor(s): Hollo, J. Erkki

Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing

ISBN (hard cover): 9781785369827

Section: Chapter 6

Section Title: Towards a sustainable, balanced and equitable allocation of water use rights

Author(s): Dai, Liping; van Rijswick, Marleen; Schmidt, Bram

Number of pages: 45

Abstract/Description:

In times of increasing water scarcity, growing populations and economic development, the allocation of water use rights becomes an issue that needs further discussion. Transparent allocation of water rights is crucial to a sustainable, balanced and equitable use of water; to guarantee the right to water; and to contribute to the achievement of the United Nations’ sustainable development goals. We discuss the allocation of water use rights at the international, regional and national levels from a comparative perspective. At the national level, we make a comparison of water allocation in Indonesia, Kenya, The Netherlands and China. All countries show a development towards more sustainable and equitable water use as well as a more balanced and equitable allocation of water use rights. Improving participation and a mix of policy instruments enables a transparent balancing of interests. Allocation policies seem to be a step to which all countries should give more attention. Keywords: Chapter 6 (Dai and others): Allocation of water rights, UN Watercourses Convention, conflict resolution, stakeholder involvement, river basin, Indonesia (Brantas basin), water allocation