Managing Environmental Water Use Conflicts: International Experience

In recent decades, there has been a considerable growth in the number of environmental conflicts worldwide, with environmental conflicts over water use standing out for their unique characteristics, causes, and challenges in resolution. Based on a number of examples from foreign (Western European an...

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Main Author: Artur L. Demchuk
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University) 2025-04-01
Series:RUDN Journal of Political Science
Subjects:
Online Access:https://journals.rudn.ru/political-science/article/viewFile/43714/24692
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author Artur L. Demchuk
author_facet Artur L. Demchuk
author_sort Artur L. Demchuk
collection DOAJ
description In recent decades, there has been a considerable growth in the number of environmental conflicts worldwide, with environmental conflicts over water use standing out for their unique characteristics, causes, and challenges in resolution. Based on a number of examples from foreign (Western European and North American) conflict resolution and environmental mediation practices, the article proposes principles for an optimal model for the successful settlement and resolution of environmental conflicts related to water use through direct negotiations and mediation that takes into account the interests of all parties involved and seeks consensus (deliberative democracy). A clear and consistent state economic and environmental policy that combines effective interdepartmental coordination, reasonable cost distribution, and a broad dialogue between the state, business, and civil society helps to prevent and resolve environmental conflicts over water use. It is concluded that every interested party must participate in negotiations (or mediation) on equal terms in order for environmental water use conflicts to be managed as effectively as possible. All parties must also acknowledge the benefits of mediation over conflict escalation or litigation, have access to a qualified and reliable mediator, be willing to carry out the agreement reached over the long term, and have an efficient system in place to monitor the agreement’s implementation.
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spelling doaj-art-6a2d6b2df55e4e5689930d832af5d37f2025-08-20T02:16:17ZengPeoples’ Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University)RUDN Journal of Political Science2313-14382313-14462025-04-01271182610.22363/2313-1438-2025-27-1-18-2621156Managing Environmental Water Use Conflicts: International ExperienceArtur L. Demchuk0Lomonosov Moscow State UniversityIn recent decades, there has been a considerable growth in the number of environmental conflicts worldwide, with environmental conflicts over water use standing out for their unique characteristics, causes, and challenges in resolution. Based on a number of examples from foreign (Western European and North American) conflict resolution and environmental mediation practices, the article proposes principles for an optimal model for the successful settlement and resolution of environmental conflicts related to water use through direct negotiations and mediation that takes into account the interests of all parties involved and seeks consensus (deliberative democracy). A clear and consistent state economic and environmental policy that combines effective interdepartmental coordination, reasonable cost distribution, and a broad dialogue between the state, business, and civil society helps to prevent and resolve environmental conflicts over water use. It is concluded that every interested party must participate in negotiations (or mediation) on equal terms in order for environmental water use conflicts to be managed as effectively as possible. All parties must also acknowledge the benefits of mediation over conflict escalation or litigation, have access to a qualified and reliable mediator, be willing to carry out the agreement reached over the long term, and have an efficient system in place to monitor the agreement’s implementation.https://journals.rudn.ru/political-science/article/viewFile/43714/24692environmental conflictswater usewater warsnegotiationsmediationconsensus building
spellingShingle Artur L. Demchuk
Managing Environmental Water Use Conflicts: International Experience
RUDN Journal of Political Science
environmental conflicts
water use
water wars
negotiations
mediation
consensus building
title Managing Environmental Water Use Conflicts: International Experience
title_full Managing Environmental Water Use Conflicts: International Experience
title_fullStr Managing Environmental Water Use Conflicts: International Experience
title_full_unstemmed Managing Environmental Water Use Conflicts: International Experience
title_short Managing Environmental Water Use Conflicts: International Experience
title_sort managing environmental water use conflicts international experience
topic environmental conflicts
water use
water wars
negotiations
mediation
consensus building
url https://journals.rudn.ru/political-science/article/viewFile/43714/24692
work_keys_str_mv AT arturldemchuk managingenvironmentalwateruseconflictsinternationalexperience