Freshwater in its Three ‘Legal States’: The Prognosis for International Law

This incisive book fills a critical gap in understanding the future of international law in the Hydrocene, an era defined by profound impacts on the global water cycle. It outlines the entire gamut of legal mechanisms available for the three natural states of water: liquid, gaseous, and solid.

Adopting an interdisciplinary approach, Fabienne Quilleré-Majzoub and Tarek Majzoub provide historical and scientific context for the development of water law in an age of climate change and dwindling resources. They examine the legal regime of shared liquid freshwater in international watercourses, whether tradable or not, of ‘iceberg harvesting’ schemes, and of the few existing ‘cloud wringing’ operations, drawing on case studies from Canada, China, the Middle East and the United States. The book also addresses the concept of hydro-diplomacy and explains how the implementation of clearer rules, such as water allocation jurimetrics, could prevent future freshwater conflicts.

Freshwater in its Three ‘Legal States’ is a vital tool for students and academics in environmental law and water law. Its unique insights into the legal and political implications of water management will also greatly benefit practicing lawyers as well as professionals working in water science, policy and management, including engineers, consultants and activists.