A comparison of the legal frameworks supporting water management in Europe and China

2010 ◽  
Vol 61 (3) ◽  
pp. 745-761 ◽  
Author(s):  
X. Yang ◽  
I. M. Griffiths
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
River Basin ◽  
River Basin Management ◽  
Legal Framework ◽  
Chinese Society ◽  
Special Focus ◽  
Basin Management ◽  
Policy Model ◽  
Current Period ◽  
Legal Frameworks

This paper has compared the legal frameworks supporting water management in Europe and China, with special focus on integrated river basin management (IRBM) to identify synergies and opportunities in policymaking and implementation. The research shows that China has committed to the efficient management of water resources through various policy tools during the current period. This commitment, however, has often been interrupted and distorted by politics, resulting in the neglect of socioeconomic and environmental priorities. The European legal framework supporting water management underwent a complex and lengthy development, but with the adoption of the Water Framework Directive provides a policy model on which to develop an integrated and sustainable approach to river basin management, elements of which may help to meet the demands of the emerging 21st century Chinese society on these critical natural resources.

River Basin Management with a Special Focus on Management of Flood Events

2010 ◽  
pp. 264-285
Author(s):  
Georg Petersen ◽  
Johannes Cullmann ◽  
Ruth Bittner
Keyword(s):  
River Basin ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
River Basin Management ◽  
Special Focus ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Flood Events ◽  
Basin Management ◽  
Forecasting And Warning ◽  
Management Approaches ◽  
National Economies

“River basin management with a special focus on management of flood events” deals with the forecast, management and mitigation of flood desasters that have a severe impact on riparian communities and national economies. In recent years it has been increasingly recognized that managing flood risks rather than full flood protection is the way forward for coping with these extreme events. The chapter describes management approaches resulting from the “RIMAX – Risk Management of Extreme Flood Events” research program carried out in Germany for which results were adapted for their adaptation in developing countries. Areas that are covered in the chapter include: (1) Analysis, forecasting and warning; (2) Information management and communication; and (3) Protection and control strategies. The work does not provide packaged solutions but describes results and problems and highlights aspects of importance that would need to be considered for successful implementation in a variety of conditions. It therefore provides a guideline for researchers and practitioners to utilize the generated information under a variety of conditions.

Integrated modelling of nitrate loads to coastal waters and land rent applied to catchment-scale water management

2007 ◽  
Vol 56 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Refsgaard ◽  
T. Jacobsen ◽  
B. Jacobsen ◽  
J.-E. Ørum
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
River Basin ◽  
River Basin Management ◽  
Integrated Modelling ◽  
Land Rent ◽  
Basin Management ◽  
Management Plans ◽  
Water Management Plans ◽  
Basin Water ◽  
Modelling Approach

The EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) requires an integrated approach to river basin management in order to meet environmental and ecological objectives. This paper presents concepts and full-scale application of an integrated modelling framework. The Ringkoebing Fjord basin is characterized by intensive agricultural production and leakage of nitrate constitute a major pollution problem with respect groundwater aquifers (drinking water), fresh surface water systems (water quality of lakes) and coastal receiving waters (eutrophication). The case study presented illustrates an advanced modelling approach applied in river basin management. Point sources (e.g. sewage treatment plant discharges) and distributed diffuse sources (nitrate leakage) are included to provide a modelling tool capable of simulating pollution transport from source to recipient to analyse the effects of specific, localized basin water management plans. The paper also includes a land rent modelling approach which can be used to choose the most cost-effective measures and the location of these measures. As a forerunner to the use of basin-scale models in WFD basin water management plans this project demonstrates the potential and limitations of comprehensive, integrated modelling tools.

Institutional arrangements for integrated river basin management

Water Policy ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 77-90 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frank G. W. Jaspers
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
River Basin ◽  
River Basin Management ◽  
Institutional Arrangements ◽  
Water Resources Planning ◽  
Basin Management ◽  
Integrated River Basin Management ◽  
The Right ◽  
Resources Planning

This paper considers the institutional arrangements that are needed and that being developed to enable communities to depart from sectoral and isolated water management in order to reach a higher level of integration. Key aspects are described that should be properly handled to manage river basins as a whole and in an integrated way. The justification for various countries to opt for systems of integrated river basin management is explored. Triggers for change are identified: the need for integrated water management on hydrological boundaries; the added value of functional decentralisation enabling decision making at the lowest appropriate level; stakeholder participation in decision making and water resources planning; and cost recovery and water pricing. Ongoing developments in processes of change are identified and described. A comparative assessment is carried out between the situation in Zimbabwe, South Africa, Tanzania, Turkey, Indonesia, France and The Netherlands. A common denominator of institutional arrangements is determined, from which developing countries in particular could benefit with regard to the introduction and establishment of systems of integrated river basin management. Sample competencies for effective functioning of river basin and sub-basin organisations are identified and described. Platforms of stakeholders with clear rules for representation and for participation in decision making in water resources planning are identified as crucial tools and described. In order to apply effective water pricing and to charge for pollution, a comprehensive system of water rights and discharge permits is considered necessary. The capacity to implement these necessary institutional arrangements is very variable, especially in developing countries, and hence the stage of implementation may differ substantially. Further, it is very important to have initial access to funds to kick-start the process of implementation. It has been found that systems of cost recovery can only be successfully introduced when acceptable service levels are established and when an enabling institutional environment is in place. Investments are needed and not all countries can afford that. Above all, a major requirement for implementation of any institutional development is the presence of sufficient human and institutional capacity at the right time and at the right place.

Participatory scenarios for regional water management planning: an Eastern Baltic case study

2011 ◽  
Vol 2 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 143-153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristina Veidemane ◽  
Arvo Iital ◽  
Marek Gielczewski
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
River Basin ◽  
Water Policy ◽  
River Basin Management ◽  
Baltic Region ◽  
Basin Management ◽  
Management Planning ◽  
Regional Water ◽  
Eastern Baltic

Ambitious mid- and long-term water protection goals currently exist regionally and globally. Setting policy goals means commitments not only for the environmental sector but also for all water users. This paper aims to contribute to the enhancement of mid- (2015) and long-term (2030 and 2050) regional water policy development by addressing the role of participatory scenarios in river basin management planning. It presents selected results of a participatory scenario development process on water resources in the Eastern Baltic region and how the process relates to certain aspects of the river basin management. The paper concludes that a Fuzzy Cognitive Map containing information on the present water management issues has a strong link with the assessment of significant drivers and pressures for the characterisation of river basins according to the Water Framework Directive. As the Eastern Baltic region does not generally have water shortage problems, the quality of available water was assessed as the major issue. Surprisingly, stakeholders did not recognise climate change as an important factor affecting the present water system in the region. The paper also shows that participatory scenarios can contribute to identifying the likelihood of failure to meet the set water policy objectives.

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