578
specific topics. The Paris Agreement to address climate change is the most recent
action taken to enact the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change
(UNFCC), adopted in 1992 and ratified by 197 parties. The 2015 Paris Agreement
sets out agreements by various countries to meet Nationally Determined
Contributions (NDCs) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. While the original
1992 UNFCC addresses climate change, other conventions have been adopted
that deal more specifically with water, such as the Convention on the Protection
and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes (adopted in
1997) and the Convention on the Non-Navigation of International Water Sources
(adopted in 2014).
A full explanation of international agreements in their various forms is beyond
the scope of this book. However, they can be useful as a way to help decrease potential conflict.
20.4 Conflict Resolution Toolkit
From the above examples, a number of ways exist for developing solutions to challenges throughout the FEW system. For individuals entering the field, the “toolkit”
discussed above provides several ways to address nexus challenges; this is not an
exclusive list. Tools discussed here include the following:
• Creative negotiation techniques, including those that draw on traditional dispute
resolution methods (i.e., Paris Accord/indaba);
• Negotiated development of regulations that merge human and environmental
needs (i.e., Kansas LEMAs, “Louisiana Speaks” Regional Plan, Murray-Darling
water law amendments);
• The use of serious games and role plays to address threats (i.e., the NECAP
Project);
• A variety of collaborative governance tools, including facilitated workshops with
the public (i.e., Chehalis Basin, “Louisiana Speaks,” NECAP Project);
• Mediation to bring parties together through the use of a neutral third party (i.e.,
the Central and West Coast Groundwater Basins in the Los Angeles area);
• Arbitration to decide issues like energy contracts (i.e., changes in European
laws);
• Court judgments on water issues (i.e., Columbia River issues); and
• International goals, agreements, and treaties (i.e., the Paris Climate Agreement,
Sustainable Development Goals).
There are other tools beyond the scope of this chapter that may be helpful to
consider as well such as the financial incentives used to leverage public conservation of resources in the Murray-Darling Basin of Australia. More reading is
provided below.
L. B. Fowler and R. T. Caccese
specific topics. The Paris Agreement to address climate change is the most recent
action taken to enact the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change
(UNFCC), adopted in 1992 and ratified by 197 parties. The 2015 Paris Agreement
sets out agreements by various countries to meet Nationally Determined
Contributions (NDCs) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. While the original
1992 UNFCC addresses climate change, other conventions have been adopted
that deal more specifically with water, such as the Convention on the Protection
and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes (adopted in
1997) and the Convention on the Non-Navigation of International Water Sources
(adopted in 2014).
A full explanation of international agreements in their various forms is beyond
the scope of this book. However, they can be useful as a way to help decrease potential conflict.
20.4 Conflict Resolution Toolkit
From the above examples, a number of ways exist for developing solutions to challenges throughout the FEW system. For individuals entering the field, the “toolkit”
discussed above provides several ways to address nexus challenges; this is not an
exclusive list. Tools discussed here include the following:
• Creative negotiation techniques, including those that draw on traditional dispute
resolution methods (i.e., Paris Accord/indaba);
• Negotiated development of regulations that merge human and environmental
needs (i.e., Kansas LEMAs, “Louisiana Speaks” Regional Plan, Murray-Darling
water law amendments);
• The use of serious games and role plays to address threats (i.e., the NECAP
Project);
• A variety of collaborative governance tools, including facilitated workshops with
the public (i.e., Chehalis Basin, “Louisiana Speaks,” NECAP Project);
• Mediation to bring parties together through the use of a neutral third party (i.e.,
the Central and West Coast Groundwater Basins in the Los Angeles area);
• Arbitration to decide issues like energy contracts (i.e., changes in European
laws);
• Court judgments on water issues (i.e., Columbia River issues); and
• International goals, agreements, and treaties (i.e., the Paris Climate Agreement,
Sustainable Development Goals).
There are other tools beyond the scope of this chapter that may be helpful to
consider as well such as the financial incentives used to leverage public conservation of resources in the Murray-Darling Basin of Australia. More reading is
provided below.
L. B. Fowler and R. T. Caccese