Mainstreaming climate change adaptation in the Yangtze water resources management in China : a legal and institutional perspective

Abstract

The management of the Yangtze River Basin (YRB) is facing two main challenges: implementing the Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) regime and adapting to water-related climate change impacts. While separate efforts in promoting the IWRM implementation and climate change adaptation are being made, this thesis proposes an innovative approach of mainstreaming climate change adaptation considerations within IWRM regime in order to deliver sustainable and robust water management decisions and outcomes for the YRB. Mainstreaming adaptation in this thesis refers to the incorporation of climate change adaptation-related factors into water development planning and ongoing sectoral decision-making process. Current Yangtze water management regime and practices have not considered adaptation factors. Thus, this thesis attempts to contribute to the literature through analysing the rationale of mainstreaming adaptation in the IWRM-related legal and institutional frameworks and proposing applicable recommendations for Yangtze water managers. Centred with this mainstreaming approach, this thesis addresses three overarching questions: first, what is the capacity of the Yangtze water management related legal and institutional frameworks in achieving sustainable development. Alternatively, to what extent do the Yangtze water-related legal and institutional frameworks contribute to climate change adaptation? Second, could water-related climate change impacts be mainstreamed in the legal and institutional frameworks on the IWRM of Yangtze River? Finally, if the answer to the second question is yes, what is the best way to implement adaptation mainstreaming? An investigation and examination of existing legal and institutional frameworks on the Yangtze water management regime and practice is essential, as this is where adaptation could be mainstreamed, and their capacity in achieving sustainability largely determines the capacity against vulnerability and negative climate change impacts. By analysing research literature and water management practices, the progress and deficiencies of these water-centred legal and institutional frameworks in delivering an effective IWRM regime are demonstrated. Following that, corresponding recommendations are brought out to illustrate how legislation could be improved and how institutional arrangements could be reformed with the objective of delivering sustainability and reducing non-climatic vulnerability. Current and future water management frameworks and regimes will no doubt shape the way ahead for water-based adaptation. At the same time, it is also important to realise that climate change adaptation-related policies, legislation and institutional arrangements will challenge and shape the paths and approaches of managing water resources. This interactive relationship firstly requires assessing the adaptation-related legal and institutional frameworks to see to what extent effective adaptation strategies are facilitated and supported. Secondly, it entails a reflective discourse where the legal assumptions, institutional arrangements, management approaches and dominant Yangtze water management regime are reviewed in the context of climate change adaptation. Since the potential compatibility and synergy between the IWRM regime and climate change adaptation is the premise of an adaptation mainstreaming approach, their distinctions and common points will be compared in this thesis. To provide specific recommendations for Yangtze water managers, the last part of this thesis first aims to propose recommendations for the development of a meaningful and supportive legal and institutional enabling environment where adaptation mainstreaming in the IWRM regime takes place. Reforming legal principles, legal instruments and institutional settings are recommended for that purpose. Nonetheless, an effective enabling environment does not necessarily result in adequate consideration of adaptation "" more specific adaptation factors need to be identified to illustrate how to practise mainstreaming from both substantive and procedural perspectives for Yangtze water managers. Integrated water planning from a substantive aspect and environmental impacts assessment from a procedural perspective are highlighted as two illustrative case studies to demonstrate how legal principles, instruments, approaches and institutional settings developed in this thesis are employed to achieve climate-proofing water management strategies and outcomes.

Date of Award	2013
Original language	English