How can water scarcity lead to conflict? How can these conflicts be avoided? This Policy Brief from the Institute for Development and Peace analyses the causes of water conflict and suggests corresponding policy options. Water allocation often reflects social, political and economic inequalities, especially in countries where water is scarce. Water management is increasingly a question of fair distribution and political legitimacy.
Growing water scarcity, increasing demand and poor management of water resources are causing rising competition over water allocation. Conflicts can escalate, especially if groups penalised in water allocation are also marginalised socially, economically or politically. Developing countries are more affected because they are less able to adapt to water scarcity. The effects of climate change mean that competition for water will continue to grow.
Development organisations are involved directly and indirectly in the sector through development projects and policy advice. There are several factors to consider:
- Increasing water demand and shrinking supply enhance competition for resources: Food production, urbanisation and changes in consumption are responsible for higher water demand. Inequitable distribution, overuse and pollution of water threaten livelihoods and cause migration. Increased competition provokes sometimes violent conflicts within states.
- Demand management can enhance root causes of conflicts and lead to escalation: To meet increasing demand, losses in distribution have to be reduced and certain users prioritised. Demand management is necessary, but can reinforce socio-economic disparities.
- Water scarcity and related conflicts call the implementation of development goals into question: Water plays a role in the eradication of extreme hunger and poverty. It can also affect achievement of goals relating to primary education, gender equality, child mortality, maternal health, HIV/AIDs and other diseases.
- Different forms of water conflict: In addition to the classic competition between agricultural land and urban water use, disputes over water allocation increasingly occur within sectors. For example, rich farmers competing with poorer ones.
International development cooperation requires specific principles, methods and instruments to assess conflict potential relating to water management and take preventative action. Different types of conflict involve different policy options:
- Water conflicts among nomads or between nomads and settlers: Options include strengthening local institutions for conflict resolution and improving the legal environment. Group identities and interests may be mobilised for cooperation initiatives.
- Water conflicts between farmers: Solutions lie in strengthening water management institutions and their sanctioning powers. Campaigns about the ecological impact and legal consequences of overuse can help raise awareness.
- Conflicts between urban and rural water-users: National and regional water management needs to be strengthened and consultation enforced. Recommendations and regulations for investors provide possibilities, as the establishment of Corporate Social Responsibility in other sectors shows.
- Conflicts between users and managers of drinking water services: Social and ecological norms need to be respected by public and private drinking water providers. Loans from development agencies should be subject to similar conditions.
- Conflicts between proponents and opponents of dams and large projects for water transfer: Guidelines by the World Commission on Dams must be implemented. Cost-benefit analysis should assess direct and indirect effects at the local and national level.
