Legal Perspectives on Bridging Science and Policy deals with the interaction of science and policy from a legal perspective. Expert contributors outline the role of law in water management and suggest solutions to make laws flexible and adaptive to changes in scientific knowledge and environmental, social and economic conditions. Each chapter addresses the topic with a different focus and offers an in-depth analysis of legal challenges related to the creation of interdisciplinary bridges, clarifying how science may be assimilated into decision-making processes and can thereby contribute to build evidence-based policies. Legal Perspectives on Bridging Science and Policy will be of great interest to scholars of water law, water governance and environmental law. This book was originally published in the journal Water International, as a special issue prepared by the International Association for Water Law (known as AIDA from its Spanish acronym https://www.aida-waterlaw.org), gathering selected papers dealing with law and governance from the XVI World Water Congress of the International Water Resources Association (IWRA) (2017).

This research collection examines writings from leading water law experts in the world to assess the law applicable to the uses, management and protection of water resources. Exploring the diverse aspects of this, from human rights to international economic law and peace and security, International Water Law comprehensively covers the multi-level facets of water resource management and protection in its wider scope.

Over recent decades, there have been pivotal changes in the management and protection of water resources as human rights, environmental and water law have all turned towards the conservation of freshwater. This astute Research Handbook analyses the interactions and interplay between law and other fields, bringing together interdisciplinary contributors, from both academic and practitioner background, to establish the extent to which law is being informed by other fields. Providing expert advice from disciplines ranging from law and political science to geography and hydrogeology, this Research Handbook critically examines the impact on freshwater law on various disciplines. Offering concrete illustrations of the relationships between environmental sciences and law, and combining legal research with theories of international relations, political science, and environmental sciences, the Research Handbook on Freshwater Law and International Relations provides an original methodology to examine the challenge of freshwater management and protection. The insights provided by this Research Handbook will be invaluable to law and political science researchers with an interest freshwater law and international relations, as well as advanced students of environmental sciences and practitioners and decision makers in freshwater management and protection. Contributors include: D. Azaria, A. Aureli, M. Beniston, L. Boisson de Chazournes, T. Bolognesi, C. Brethaut, L. Caflisch, A. Correia Lima Macedo Franca, A. Dumont, E. Dupuits, E. Fiechter-Widemann, S. Hawkins, S. Kpenou, Z.W. Kundzewicz, C. Leb, L. Maertens, R. Martin-Nagle, M.M. Mbengue, S. McCaffrey, O. McIntyre, M. Milano, N. Odili, G. Pflieger, S.M.A. Salman, E. Reynard, A. Rivera, M. Stoffel, A. Tanzi, M. Tignino, L. Turley, B. Zerhdoud

This excellent book covers the important legal and political perspectives on the world's freshwater resources. The chapters, written by distinguished experts from academia and practice, systematically address issues of economics, environment, sovereignty over resources, energy, conflict resolution, and in addition offer some in depth case studies. A wonderful book and compulsory reading for who needs to have the full picture of the complex international dynamics of freshwater in our time.' - Catherine Broelmann, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands 'In sum, the volume is a must for all those who know and practice international and domestic water law, who influence the international water governance debate at the global, regional, and sub-regional scales, and who, in general, interact with water resources in the transboundary but also in the domestic setting of their respective countries.' - Stefano Burchi, Chairman of the International Association for Water Law - AIDA'International Law and Freshwater is an outstanding piece of legal and policy scholarship that poignantly, thoughtfully and effectively addresses the who, what, where, when and how of international waters governance and international law.' - Richard Kyle Paisley, University of British Columbia, Canada The issues surrounding water embody some of the greatest challenges of the 21st century. The editors of this timely book have brought together the leading authors in the field to explore the key questions involving international law and water governance. International Law and Freshwater connects recent legal developments through the breadth and synergies of a multidisciplinary analysis. It addresses such critical issues as water security, the right to water, international cooperation and dispute resolution, State succession to transboundary watercourse treaties, and facets of international economic law, including trade in 'virtual water' and the impacts of 'land grabs'. Containing detailed analysis and thought-provoking solutions, this book will appeal to researchers and academics working in the legal field, as well as international relations and natural sciences. Water practitioners, public officials, diplomats and students will also find much to interest them in this insightful study. Contributors: A.S. Al-Khasawneh, U. Alam, L. Boisson de Chazournes, L. Caflisch, M. Claassen, C. de Albuquerque, G. de los Cobos, L. del Castillo-Laborde, D. Garrick, J. Granit, D. Grey, E. Hey, V. Hughes, M. Kohen, C. Leb, G. Marceau, M.M. Mbengue, S.C. McCaffrey, O. McIntyre, S.M.A. Salman, D. Shelton, A. Tanzi, M. Tignino, B.A. Yimer

The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Non-Navigational Uses of International Watercourses plays a crucial role in protecting and managing international watercourses and other sources of fresh water. Boisson de Chazournes, Mbengue, Tignino, and Sangbana head a team of experts in this Commentary, examining the travaux preparatoires leading to the Convention and the practice that has developed since the adoption of the Convention in 1997. Tackling the rationale and objectives of the provisions, they offer crucial insights to the Convention's impact on the development of a universal regime for shared water resources. Examining cross-cutting topics such as the core water principles, the prevention and settlement of water disputes, the relationship between the Convention and other legal instruments, as well as the role of the ICJ and other judicial means to solve water disputes, this book is crucial to all those who seek a deep understanding of water law.