Chapter 13b - River policy: Navigating Asia's water needs in a changing climate

Abstract

Water, an indispensable element for all forms of life, demands meticulous consideration, particularly within Asia. This vast and densely populated continent is home to roughly 4.7 billion people, representing a diverse array of cultures, languages, and climates. This diversity makes it hard to have one set of rules for managing water. The need for water for domestic, agricultural, and industrial sectors is increasing rapidly due to rapid urbanization, migration, and population growth. Managing water is one of the big challenges in Asia because access to safe water is diminishing alarmingly. It is projected that the gap between demand and supply would be 40% by 2030 and more than 75% of Asia will face a water insecurity issue. Climate change worsens the situation as it causes extreme weather like very long dry spells and big floods with ice and snow melt in Asia's mountains. Managing water is complicated, but it is crucial for Asia's future. Good water management means ensuring equitable access to safe water to everyone with circularity. Many of Asia's rivers cross borders between countries. Rivers encounter challenges including inadequate water availability, pollution, and the detrimental consequences arising from climate change. To solve these problems, countries need to work together and share their plans for managing these rivers. In this chapter, we explore water management in Asia and discuss the policies established regarding the management of river water in various regions of Asia, including both developed and developing countries.