Water Governance in Countries of the Global South in the Face of Climate Change

Organized by Research Centre Brasilia

Addressing freshwater governance in the face of climate change in the context of the Global South is essential to better understanding the complex and interconnected dynamics between development, sustainability, and climate justice. It is a critical issue given the climate change scenario, especially in countries of the Global South, where vulnerability to climate change is exacerbated by socio-economic inequalities and often inadequate management policies. These policies face significant challenges, such as water scarcity, pollution, and the need to manage freshwater resources sustainably to meet the needs of a growing population. Climate change exacerbates these challenges as it alters precipitation patterns, increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme events, whether intense rainfall or more acute droughts. These events affect the availability and quality of water, especially for the poorest populations. These elements have important impacts on water security, One Health, food production, energy generation, and the preservation of ecosystems. It should be noted that in many countries, current water governance policies are inadequate to address the problems posed by climate change. Many of these policies are fragmented and focused on the local or national level in transboundary basin contexts without adequately considering hydrological and climatic interdependencies. Furthermore, they do not always incorporate equity and climate justice principles.

Overcoming these challenges requires adopting an approach that promotes the sustainable and equitable management of water resources, the effective participation of stakeholders, including local communities and indigenous populations, and transboundary cooperation in managing shared river basins. Adapting to climate change in the context of water governance also requires significant investments in infrastructure, technology, and capacity building to improve the resilience of water systems. In addition, it is necessary to promote research and knowledge sharing on sustainable water management practices and adaptation to climate change, especially those that consider traditional and local knowledge. This debate is crucial to shaping a future in which access to water is regarded as a fundamental right, integrating global efforts for climate change mitigation and adaptation, with a special emphasis on justice and equity.