Building Transboundary Water Security
Climate change is accelerating the world's freshwater challenges, which today leave over a billion people without access to clean water supplies, and many more lacking adequate sanitation.
As these stresses intensify, they risk leading to conflicts between countries. The response therefore needs to focus on shared international water basins. This article discusses a new generation of transboundary agreements that aim to integrate wider freshwater benefits, notably ecosystem functions. It also points to the need for holistic approaches to freshwater management moving forward, as countries turn towards implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.
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