PhD student: Dr J.J.H. van Kempen

Promotors: Prof B.J. Schueler, Mrs Prof H.F.M.W. van Rijswick

Duration: 31/12/2012

PhD defence: Utrecht, 16/11/2012

Abstract:

Based on European obligations, water management takes place at the river basin level, where obligations are formulated per (mostly international) river basin. From this perspective, cross-border water problems deserve special attention, because ultimately, it are Member States that have the responsibility to meet the obligations of European directives. There is an area of tension between European rules and the actual situation. It is unclear to what extent Member States can be held responsible for not achieving the goals of the directives, if this is the result of causes which are not (fully) within their power. This research aims to answer the question if and how current legislation should be changed in order to fairly divide responsibilities among the riparian states of an international river basin, whilst safeguarding water quality, quantity and security.

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