Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Dams on Shared Rivers: The Concept of Benefit Sharing

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
The Global Water System in the Anthropocene

Part of the book series: Springer Water ((SPWA))

Abstract

In recent years, the concept of benefit sharing has been proposed as a means of fostering the cooperative use of international rivers. Most of the relevant literature focuses on opportunities for the generation of net benefits from cooperation; however, little attention has so far been paid to specific mechanisms for benefit sharing applied to the specific case of dams on international rivers. This paper fills this gap and asks both what incentives can be offered to encourage benefit sharing and what benefit-sharing mechanisms can be identified. Based on a conceptual approach, dam projects on the rivers Senegal, Columbia, Orange-Senqu, Nile and Zambezi are reviewed in order to explore the benefit-sharing mechanisms used at international levels. The paper also finds that negative environmental impacts are largely neglected, while social costs are not fully accounted for. The paper advocates for linking interstate with domestic benefit-sharing mechanisms which might be the ultimate step towards a socially inclusive, sustainable dam development.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 99.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 139.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Notes

  1. 1.

    This is not to say that single and multi-purpose dams are the only means; they are just one of several options—for water supply and for electricity generation.

  2. 2.

    http://en.rian.ru/world/20110206/162478744.html, access 23 July 2013.

  3. 3.

    For a discussion of factors see Hensengerth et al. 2012, pp. 26–30.

References

  • Africa Recovery (2004) vol 17, no 4. http://www.un.org/ecosocdev/geninfo/afrec/vol17no4/174ag.htm. Accessed 2 Aug 2011

  • African Development Bank (1988) Diama dam project: project performance evaluation report. African Development Bank, (no place)

    Google Scholar 

  • Agreement between the Republic of the Sudan and the United Arab Republic for the Full Utilization of the Nile Waters of 1959 (1959) In: Scheumann W, Schiffler M (eds) (1998) Water in the Middle East: potential for conflicts and prospects for cooperation. Springer, Berlin, pp 186–190

    Google Scholar 

  • Alam U, Dione O, Jeffrey P (2009) The benefit-sharing principle: implementing sovereignty bargains on water, in Political Geography, vol 28. pp 90–100

    Google Scholar 

  • Bates BC, Kundzewicz ZW, Wu S, Palutikof JP (eds) (2008) Climate change and water. Technical paper of the intergovernmental panel on climate change. IPCC Secretariat, Geneva

    Google Scholar 

  • Bhaduri A, Manna U, Barbier E, Liebe J (2011) climate change and cooperation in transboundary water sharing: an application of stochastic stackelberg differential games in volta River Basin. Nat Resour Model 24(4):409–444. Further information: onlinelibrary.wiley.com. doi:10.1111/j.1939-7445.2011.00097.x/abstract. Accessed 10 Jan 2014

  • Biswas AK (1999) Management of international waters: opportunities and constraints. Int J Water Resour Manage 15(4):429–441

    Google Scholar 

  • Cernea MM, Mathur HM (2008) Can compensation prevent impoverishment? Reforming resettlement through investments and benefit-sharing. Oxford University Press, Oxford

    Google Scholar 

  • Columbia River Treaty (1961). http://www.ccrh.org/comm/river/docs/cotreaty.htm. Accessed 2 Aug 2011

  • Dinar S (2006) Assessing side-payments and cost-sharing patterns in international water agreements: the geographic and economic connection. Political Geogr 25(4):412–437

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dombrowsky I (2007) Conflict, cooperation and Institutions in international water management. an economic analysis. Edward Elgar, USA

    Google Scholar 

  • Dombrowsky I (2009) Revisiting the potential for benefit sharing in the management of trans-boundary rivers. Water Policy 11(2):125–140

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dombrowsky I (2010) The role of intra-water sector issue linkage in the resolution of transboundary water conflicts. Water Int 35(2):132–149

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dombrowsky I, Bastian J, Däschle D, Heisig S, Peters J, Vosseler C (2014) International and local benefit sharing in hydropower projects on shared rivers: the Ruzizi III and Rusumo Falls cases (submitted to Water Policy)

    Google Scholar 

  • Duflo E, Pande R (2007) Dams. Q J Econ 122:601–646

    Google Scholar 

  • Durth R (1996) Grenzüberschreitende Umweltprobleme Und Regionale Integration. Zur Politischen Ökonomie von Oberlauf-Unterlauf-Problemen an internationalen Flüssen. Nomos, Baden-Baden

    Google Scholar 

  • Égré D (2007) UNEP dams and development project: compendium on relevant practices, 2nd stage. Revised final report, benefit sharing issue. UNEP, (no place)

    Google Scholar 

  • Égré D, Roquet V, Durocher C (2002) Benefit sharing from dam projects. Phase 1: desk study. Final report. World Bank, Washington DC

    Google Scholar 

  • Égré D, Roquet V, Durocher C (2008) Benefit sharing to supplement compensation in resource extractive activities: the case of dams. In: Cernea MM, Mathur HM (eds) Can compensation prevent impoverishment? Reforming Resettlement through Investments and Benefit-Sharing. Oxford University Press, Oxford, pp 317–357

    Google Scholar 

  • Fink M (2005) Integrating the world commission on dams recommendations in large dam planning processes: the case of Bui, Ghana. Mimeo, Dortmund

    Google Scholar 

  • Fischhendler I, Feitelson E, Eaton D (2004) The short-term and long-term ramifications of linkages involving natural resources: the US-Mexico transboundary water case. Environ Plann C: Gov Policy 22(5):633–650

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Frey FF (1993) The political context of conflict and cooperation over international River Basins. Water Int 18:54–68

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Garrod G, Willis K (1999) Economic valuation of the environment: methods and case studies. Edward Elgar, Cheltenham

    Google Scholar 

  • Giordano MA, Wolf AT (2003) Transboundary freshwater treaties. In: Nakayama M (ed) International waters in Southern Africa. University Press, New York, pp 71–100

    Google Scholar 

  • Haas L (2009) Introducing benefit sharing around large dams in West Africa: drawing on regional and international experience. Global Water Initiative and International Institute for Environment and Development, UK

    Google Scholar 

  • Hensengerth O (2011) Interaction of chinese institutions with host governments in dam construction. The Bui Dam in Ghana. Discussion Paper 3. German Development Institute, Bonn

    Google Scholar 

  • Hensengerth O, Dombrowsky I, Scheumann W (2012) Benefit sharing in dam projects on shared rivers. Discussion Paper 6. German Development Institute, Bonn

    Google Scholar 

  • International Energy Agency (2011) World Energy Outlook 2011. OECD, IEA, Paris

    Google Scholar 

  • Kibaroglu A, Scheuman W, Kramer A (eds) (2011) Turkey’s water policy. National framework and international cooperation. Springer, Berlin

    Google Scholar 

  • Kipping M (2005) Wasserkonflikte und Wasserkooperation am Senegalfluss. In: Kipping M, Lindemann S (eds) Konflikte Und Kooperation Um Wasser: Wasserpolitik Am Senegalfluss Und Internationales Flussmanagement Im Südlichen Afrika. LIT Verlag, Münster, pp 22–107

    Google Scholar 

  • Kirschke S (2010) Grenzüberschreitendes Flussgebietsmanagement: Die Rolle Von Benefit Sharing-Mechanismen Im Rahmen der Senegalkooperation. Eschborn, GTZ

    Google Scholar 

  • Klaphake A (2005) Kooperation an internationalen Flüssen aus ökonomischer Perspektive: das Konzept des Benefit Sharing. Discussion Paper 6. German Development Institute, Bonn

    Google Scholar 

  • Klaphake A, Scheumann W (2009) Understanding transboundary water cooperation: evidence from Sub-Sahara Africa. In: Swatuk LA, Wirkus L (eds) Transboundary water governance in Southern Africa. Exploring underexplored dimensions. Nomos, Baden-Baden, pp 47–72

    Google Scholar 

  • Krutilla JV (1967) The Columbia river treaty: the economics of an international River Basin development. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore

    Google Scholar 

  • LeMarquand DG (1977) International rivers. The politics of cooperation. Westwater Research Center, University of British Columbia, Vancouver

    Google Scholar 

  • Mäler KG (1990) International environmental problems. Oxford Rev Econ Policy 6(1):80–107

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mas-Colell A, Whinston MD, Green JR (1995) Microeconomic theory. Oxford University Press, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • McCartney M (2009) Living with dams: managing the environmental impacts. Water Policy 11(1):121–139

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Meijerink SV (1999) Conflict and cooperation on the Scheldt River Basin: a case study of decision making on international Scheldt issues between 1967 and 1997. Kluwer Academic Publishers, Boston

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Mostert E (2005) How can international donors promote transboundary water management? Discussion Paper 8. German Development Institute, Bonn

    Google Scholar 

  • Muckleston KW (2003) International management in the Columbia River Basin. UNESCO, Washington DC

    Google Scholar 

  • Pearce DW (1999) Methodological issues in the economic analysis for involuntary resettlement operations. In: Cernea MM (ed) The economic of involuntary resettlement. Questions and challenges. World Bank, Washington DC, pp 50–82

    Google Scholar 

  • Phillips D, Daoudy M, McCaffrey S, Öjendal J, Turton A (2006) Transboundary water cooperation as a tool for conflict prevention and broader benefit-sharing. Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Stockholm

    Google Scholar 

  • Putnam RD (1988) Diplomacy and domestic politics: the logic of two-level games. Int Org 42(3):427–460

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rogers P, de Silva R et al (2002) Water is an economic good: how to use prices to promote equity, efficiency, and sustainability. Water Policy 4:1–17

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sadoff CW, Grey D (2002) Beyond the river: the benefits of cooperation on international rivers. Water Policy 4(5):389–403

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sadoff CW, Grey D (2005) Cooperation on international rivers: a continuum for securing and sharing benefits. Water Int 30:420–427

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Scudder T (2003) The Aswan high dam case. (Unpublished manuscript)

    Google Scholar 

  • Scudder T (2005) The Kariba case study. Working paper 1227. California Institute of Technology, Pasadena

    Google Scholar 

  • Skinner J, Krauss J, Newborne P (2014) Redistribution of revenues from hydropower dams: review of benefit-sharing mechanisms and local control (draft September 2013)

    Google Scholar 

  • Song J, Whittington D (2004) Why have some countries on international rivers been successful negotiating treaties? A global perspective. Water Resour Res 40:W05S06. doi:10.1029/2003WR002536

  • Trembath BP (2008) Beyond compensation: sharing of rents arising from hydropower projects. In: Cernea MM, Mathur HM (eds) Can compensation prevent impoverishment? Reforming resettlement through investments and benefit-sharing. Oxford University Press, Oxford, pp 375–393

    Google Scholar 

  • Tumbare MJ (2002) Co-operation in the Zambesi River Basin. In: Al Baz I et al (eds) Co-operation on transboundary rivers. Nomos, Baden-Baden, pp 101–112

    Google Scholar 

  • Waterbury J (1997) Between unilateralism and comprehensive accords: modest steps toward cooperation in international River Basins. Int J Water Resour Dev 13(3):279–289

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • World Bank (2001) Operational policy 4.12: involuntary resettlement; operational policy 4.12, Annex A: involuntary resettlement instruments; bank procedure 4.12: involuntary resettlement. http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/PROJECTS/EXTPOLICIES/EXTSAFEPOL/0,,contentMDK:20543978~menuPK:1286647~pagePK:64168445~piPK:64168309~theSitePK:584435,00.html. Accessed 31 July 2011

  • World Bank (2007) Africa region: irrigation business plan. Revised Draft, Washington DC (October 23)

    Google Scholar 

  • World Commission on Dams (2000a) Dams and development. A new framework for decision-making. Earthscan Publication Ltd, London

    Google Scholar 

  • World Commission on Dams (2000b) Kariba dam Zambia and Zimbabwe. Final report, November. http://www.dams.org/docs/kbase/studies/cszzmain.pdf. Accessed 31 July 2011

  • World Summit on Sustainble Development Plan of Implementation (2002) World summit on sustainble development plan of implementation. http://www.johannesburgsummit.org/html/documents/summit_docs/2309_planfinal.htm. Accessed 14 Dec 2011

  • Yu T, Winston H (2008) Benefit sharing in international rivers: findings from the Senegal River Basin, the Columbia River Basin, and the Lesotho highlands water project. World Bank, Washington DC

    Google Scholar 

  • Zambezi River Authority Agreement between the Republic of Zimbabwe and the Republic of Zambia concerning the utilization of the Zambezi River, 28 July 1987. http://www.law.co.zw/downloads/statutes/20/Zambezi%20River%20Authority%20Act.pdf. Accessed 3 Aug 2011

  • Zeitoun M, Jägerskog A (2011) Addressing power asymmetry: how transboundary water management may serve to reduce poverty. Report 29. SIWI, Stockholm

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgement

This study was co-funded by DIE and the GIZ Sector Project “Policy Advice for Sustainable Hydropower”.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Deutsches Institut für Entwicklungspolitik, Bonn, German

    Waltina Scheumann & Ines Dombrowsky

  2. Oliver Hensengerth, Northumbria University, Newcastle, UK

    Oliver Hensengerth

Authors
  1. Waltina Scheumann
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Ines Dombrowsky
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Oliver Hensengerth
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Waltina Scheumann .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Global Water System Project, Bonn, Germany

    Anik Bhaduri

  2. Global Water System Project, Bonn, Germany

    Janos Bogardi

  3. UNESCO-IHE, Delft, The Netherlands

    Jan Leentvaar

  4. Global Water System Project, Bonn, Germany

    Sina Marx

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2014 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Scheumann, W., Dombrowsky, I., Hensengerth, O. (2014). Dams on Shared Rivers: The Concept of Benefit Sharing. In: Bhaduri, A., Bogardi, J., Leentvaar, J., Marx, S. (eds) The Global Water System in the Anthropocene. Springer Water. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-07548-8_8

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation