Environmental law can help to prevent climate-related conflicts
What is it about?
Water is a valuable natural resource. We need to it to live – and it has economic value, too. This means it often causes political conflicts. To avoid conflict, we need to be fair about how we share water – particularly when several countries rely on the same water source. One example of how countries manage this is the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) between India and Pakistan. The Indus is one of the longest rivers in the world. The Treaty is an international legal agreement about how water from the Indus is shared between India and Pakistan. The Treaty has been in place for over 60 years, but it is now at risk. Demand for water has increased – but climate change is causing glaciers to melt, and there is less water going into the Indus river system. This project looked closely at the Treaty, focusing particularly on the sections designed to help resolve conflict.
Why is it important?
Water-related conflicts can threaten international peace and security. Good management of water resources is needed to ensure that such conflicts do not grow. Both countries need to work together to ensure that climate change does not put the Treaty at risk. This will take some negotiation and it is important that each country’s needs are understood. KEY TAKEAWAY: Climate change can cause problems that may escalate to international conflict. It’s important that we see the warning signs and act on them.