Climate change, water management and stakeholder analysis in the Dongjiang River basin in South China

Yang, Liang Emlyn; Chan, Faith Ka Shun; Scheffran, Jürgen

doi:10.1080/07900627.2016.1264294

Cited by 55 publications

(31 citation statements)

References 41 publications

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“…In this issue of the International Journal of Water Resources Development, van Soesbergen and Mulligan (2016) discuss the potential impacts of multivariate climate change on the water resources of the Santa basin in Peru; and Yang, Chan, and Scheffran (2016) present their analysis of climate change, water management and stakeholders' perceptions in the Dongjiang River basin in China. Wang et al (2016) present a study of conventional and holistic urban stormwater management in coastal cities, including Hong Kong and Singapore.…”

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confidence: 99%

Impacts of megatrends on the global water landscape

Tortajada¹,

Biswas²

2018

International Journal of Water Resources Development

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Megatrends can be defined as 'sequence[s] of events or observed phenomena that have some momentum in a particular direction and some level of durability' (Rohner, 2018). They are reshaping the future of the world in many known and unknown ways. In the area of water, megatrends that are driving use and management practices and processes include demographic development, economic growth, urbanization, sustainability-related issues, infrastructure, technology, commercialization, social and perceptional changes, climate variability and change, and, most importantly, water-related thinking (Biswas, Tortajada, & Rohner, 2018).The relevance of these megatrends is dependent on the economic, social, political and environmental implications they have for the society as a whole, both currently and in the future. An important consideration is how society can be better prepared for, learn about and take advantage of the opportunities that megatrends offer. How can the water profession and policy makers build resilience sustainably over the long term and not simply react to these changes in an ad hoc manner? How can plans best be formulated so that water-related institutions are able to provide appropriate, timely and cost-effective responses?Events are often unexpected, such as those related to climate, and thus institutions may not be prepared to formulate and execute appropriate responses. There is no doubt that countries with functioning institutions that are accountable, transparent and inclusive will be better able to overcome the challenging situations, as well as provide necessary services to their populations efficiently and effectively. Countries that are not prepared and do not have adequate institutional capacities are likely to be the most vulnerable.Under these conditions, the questions that should be asked are whether institutions, policies, regulations, management and administrative skills, and investments are in place to deal adequately with a future that is full of uncertainties and increasing complexities. Are institutions able to function efficiently and effectively under rapidly evolving conditions? In terms of basic services such as water supply and wastewater management, how will these megatrends affect service delivery? What will be the impacts of sea-level rise on water infrastructure, hydropower and irrigation, especially with changing and uncertain precipitation patterns? How will these uncertain events affect societies in the coming years? What policies should be formulated to ensure that overall development is not hindered?The global water landscape is changing rapidly. While historical knowledge and past experience are always useful to understand and appreciate the genesis of any problems, new lenses are necessary through which they should be viewed, analyzed and solved. Even this may not be enough. Addressing more comprehensively all future water-related problems in a coordinated manner, compared to the situations at present, will invariably require proactive and effective institutions, coordinati...

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confidence: 99%

Impacts of megatrends on the global water landscape

Tortajada¹,

Biswas²

2018

International Journal of Water Resources Development

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“…The main stream is 562 km long and covers a 27,040 km 2 catchment, where regional economic development and more than 40 million people's livelihoods are closely associated with the Dongjiang's water. At the river basin level, significant challenges have emerged in recent years, including rapid population growth, urbanization, industrial development, reduction of agricultural land use, ecological degradation, and annual fluctuation of river flow due to natural and human-induced factors, including climate change (Yang, Chan, & Scheffran, 2018). Given that Hong Kong's water supply largely depends on the available quantity and quality of the Dongjiang water (Chen, 2001), some believe that the water supply of Hong Kong is being threatened by competition from upstream cities (Sadhwani, Chau, Loh, Kilburn, & Lawson, 2009) and that 'there is no assurance that the Dongjiang will always be able to provide a constant water supply for Hong Kong' (Legislative Council, 2015).…”

Section: Territorial Mismatchmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The governance of the Dongjiang River is also politically complicated. Jurisdictions at various administrative levels across the river basin are involved (Yang, Zhang, & Wambui Ngaruiya, 2013); recent research has identified 37 stakeholders who play a part in water governance in the basin (Yang et al, 2018). Although the collaborative dynamics between Hong Kong and mainland cities are based on reciprocity and symbiosis, the DSWSP is regarded as a buy-sell water supply contract, and current collaboration is limited to strategic infrastructure development and data sharing (Hartley, 2017).…”

Section: Institutional Mismatchmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hong Kong’s water security: a governance perspective

Wang

Dai

2019

International Journal of Water Resources Development

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Traditional concerns regarding Hong Kong's water security have centred on water quantity, quality and pricing. In contrast, this article embraces an integrative conceptualization of water security from a governance perspective. A technocratic and supply-oriented water system may overlook challenges stemming from scalar mismatches at the territorial, institutional and discursive levels, as well as at the science-policy interface. Resilience thinking could identify new areas of concern and provide contextually sensitive insights into Hong Kong's water security, which will be subject to the restructuring of the water governance system, which concerns changing discourses, power relations and institutional mechanisms.

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“…to ensure biodiversity conservation. (Yang et al, 2016a). For example, a Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) model in South Africa integrates biodiversity, water and socioeconomic development, while managing the scarce water supplies.…”

Section: Transboundary Water Governance In Protected Natural Areasmentioning

confidence: 99%

Transboundary Water Resources for People and Nature: Challenges and Opportunities in the Olifants River Basin

et al. 2019

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This paper proposes that transboundary water governance needs to become an essential input to sustainable governance of protected natural reserves. The paper reviews the challenges and opportunities for such governance mechanisms, and identifies the factors behind successful practices. Successful transboundary governance of water and nature requires the reduction of associated transaction costs. Firstly, water diplomacy through joint research, data collection and monitoring, capacity building, dialogues for consensus building, promoting responsible leadership and providing advisory support can help in overcoming mistrust between stakeholders and create opportunities for cooperation. Secondly, power asymmetries may hinder transboundary water governance, therefore, there is a need to involve multi-scale links across stakeholders to counterbalance local power asymmetries and engage all stakeholders in consultations and negotiations. Thirdly, transboundary water governance is critically dependent on accurate and transparent data and analysis tools for informing policy decisions. Science-policy interactions for facilitating transboundary water governance were found to be most effective when the knowledge on joint water and nature governance is coproduced in a trans-disciplinary manner, in collaboration with wide-ranging informal networks of scientists, policy makers, and civil society. Finally, transboundary water governance organizations can serve as platforms for facilitating water diplomacy, building trust and cooperation, especially when they are granted the ability to enter into binding cooperative agreements regardless of external political pressures.

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Climate change, water management and stakeholder analysis in the Dongjiang River basin in South China

Cited by 55 publications

References 41 publications

Impacts of megatrends on the global water landscape

Impacts of megatrends on the global water landscape

Hong Kong’s water security: a governance perspective

Transboundary Water Resources for People and Nature: Challenges and Opportunities in the Olifants River Basin

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