How water can be used as a catalyst for global peace and security 

Image by Freepik

Water can be a catalyst for peace and security with a critical role in preventing conflicts and promoting co-operation among communities and nations, but only if managed equitably and sustainably, a new study reveals. 

Experts have devised a blueprint to ensure safe, equitable, and sustainable global access to clean water. The seven-point strategy will allow water challenges to be governed effectively so they do not create conflict when access is restricted or usage is unfairly shared. 

Publishing their findings in Nature Water on November 29, the international team of interdisciplinary experts from France, Germany, India, Nigeria, Sweden, the USA, and the UK, led by the University of Birmingham, set out the following seven strategies to help achieve peace and security: 

• Collaborate locally on global water challenges to help reduce conflict, empower civil societies, and build resilience. Inadequate water governance can lead to unjust competition and severe affects on vulnerable communities. 
• Involve communities in developing water governance to prevent conflicts during times of scarcity. Joint risk assessments, improved public communication, and citizen science can help to foster transparency and build trust. 
• Integrate local expert knowledge and nature-based solutions with technical infrastructure to enhance community resilience. Using traditional water management practices in Nepal and Peru has helped address local water challenges. 
• Consider existing inequalities when developing national and local policies to help prevent conflict and build trust, like successful water co-operation initiatives, such as the EcoPeace project in the Middle East, nominated for the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize. 
• Ensure safe water access for women and girls, who often bear the responsibility for water collection. Integrating safety, gender equity, and access into water governance policies is critical in protecting and empowering female citizens. 
• Predict water-related changes better and improve local preparedness to deal with intensifying water challenges by integrating the latest remote sensing data with local analysis and investing in adaptive infrastructure. 
• Prevent conflict through international treaties and intergovernmental management of transboundary river basins, for example, the Indus Waters Treaty between Pakistan and India and Peru and Bolivia’s joint governance of Lake Titicaca. 

“Water can be a powerful tool for peace when managed sustainably and equitably, but there is increasing conflict for water as an irreplaceable resource for humans and waterbodies as highly valuable ecosystems with a rich biodiversity,” commented lead author Professor Stefan Krause, from the University of Birmingham, co-chair of the UNESCO UniTwin network on Ecohydrological Interfaces.

“Our study provides a blueprint for using water to foster co-operation and prevent conflicts, ensuring a more just and resilient future for all. Co-creating shared visions for water solutions ensures fairness and acceptance of management decisions,” he continued.

The researchers emphasise the importance of initiatives like the UN Water Convention in preventing conflicts and promoting joint water management. They note the International Association of Hydrological Sciences (IAHS) ‘HELPING’ initiative focuses on local engagement, interdisciplinary collaboration, and innovative methods to find solutions for water-related issues. 

“The seven recommendations we highlight provide pathways to move from water crisis to sustainable solutions, balancing water as a resource for people and as a valuable ecosystem,” said co-author Professor David Hannah, Director of the Birmingham Institute for Sustainability and Climate Action (BISCA), and UNESCO Chair in Water Science. 

"Considering factors such as community action, indigenous knowledge, open science, and participatory approaches for sustainable water governance will help the world to achieve UN sustainable development goals and leverage water for peace,” he concluded.