Advanced Introduction to International Water Law

Elgar Advanced Introductions are stimulating and thoughtful introductions to major fields in the social sciences, business and law, expertly written by the world’s leading scholars. Designed to be accessible yet rigorous, they offer concise and lucid surveys of the substantive policy issues associated with discrete subject areas.

This Advanced Introduction to International Water Law provides an overview of the key international rules, principles and institutions involved in the use and protection of shared international freshwater resources.



Incisive and comprehensive, this book explores the core principles and key developments in international water law. Chapters examine the emergence of the ecosystem approach to transboundary water management; the phenomenon of convergence, by which international water law borrows from (and contributes to) other fields of international law; and the emergence of the UN Sustainable Development Goals as a global driver for implementation of a universally accepted sustainable development framework for shared international water resources.



Key Features:







Summarises established practices in the field of transboundary water cooperation


Deftly explores the evolving objectives of international water law and the key drivers affecting these changes


Highlights procedural engagement and institutional cooperation as an integral requirement of international water law


Examines the necessity of related fields of international law when managing shared international water resources



This authoritative Advanced Introduction will be a crucial read for legal scholars and students working in the fields of international water; environmental, climate and natural resources law; environmental politics; international relations; water resources management and development studies. It will also benefit governmental and intergovernmental officials employed by relevant national ministries and international organisations.