International law and transboundary dams: lessons learned from the Binational Entity ITAIPU (Brazil and Paraguay)

The international river Paraná flows through Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina, and holds two major binational dams: the upstream ITAIPU dam (Brazil-Paraguay) and the downstream Yacyreta dam (Argentina-Paraguay). In the past years, the South American region was strongly affected by adverse environmenta...

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Main Author: Maria A. Gwynn
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2023-11-01
Series:Frontiers in Climate
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fclim.2023.1272254/full
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author Maria A. Gwynn
Maria A. Gwynn
author_facet Maria A. Gwynn
Maria A. Gwynn
author_sort Maria A. Gwynn
collection DOAJ
description The international river Paraná flows through Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina, and holds two major binational dams: the upstream ITAIPU dam (Brazil-Paraguay) and the downstream Yacyreta dam (Argentina-Paraguay). In the past years, the South American region was strongly affected by adverse environmental challenges exacerbated by climate change, like wildfires and severe droughts, which in turn drastically affected the water flow of the Paraná river, a river used for multiple purposes, inter alia the production of energy. The hydropower obtained from ITAIPU is one of the main sources of energy for Paraguay and the Southern part of Brazil. At the same time, the downstream parts of the river is used for navigation purposes, which is crucial for land-locked Paraguay to export its agricultural products, and for water consumption, as is the case for Argentina. The present case study will show how in spite of these challenges, South America has been an successful example of transboundary water cooperation, especially by using the international water law guidelines aimed at achieving reasonable and equitable utilization of an international river.
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spelling doaj.art-3b35857e66c746f6b1aa700e43f28d1f2023-11-14T02:54:24ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Climate2624-95532023-11-01510.3389/fclim.2023.12722541272254International law and transboundary dams: lessons learned from the Binational Entity ITAIPU (Brazil and Paraguay)Maria A. Gwynn0Maria A. Gwynn1International Law Institute, University of Bonn, Bonn, GermanyMember of Governing Council ITAIPU, Asunción, ParaguayThe international river Paraná flows through Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina, and holds two major binational dams: the upstream ITAIPU dam (Brazil-Paraguay) and the downstream Yacyreta dam (Argentina-Paraguay). In the past years, the South American region was strongly affected by adverse environmental challenges exacerbated by climate change, like wildfires and severe droughts, which in turn drastically affected the water flow of the Paraná river, a river used for multiple purposes, inter alia the production of energy. The hydropower obtained from ITAIPU is one of the main sources of energy for Paraguay and the Southern part of Brazil. At the same time, the downstream parts of the river is used for navigation purposes, which is crucial for land-locked Paraguay to export its agricultural products, and for water consumption, as is the case for Argentina. The present case study will show how in spite of these challenges, South America has been an successful example of transboundary water cooperation, especially by using the international water law guidelines aimed at achieving reasonable and equitable utilization of an international river.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fclim.2023.1272254/fulltransboundary cooperation on water resourcesinternational lawParaguayBrazilSouth Americainternational rivers
spellingShingle Maria A. Gwynn
Maria A. Gwynn
International law and transboundary dams: lessons learned from the Binational Entity ITAIPU (Brazil and Paraguay)
Frontiers in Climate
transboundary cooperation on water resources
international law
Paraguay
Brazil
South America
international rivers
title International law and transboundary dams: lessons learned from the Binational Entity ITAIPU (Brazil and Paraguay)
title_full International law and transboundary dams: lessons learned from the Binational Entity ITAIPU (Brazil and Paraguay)
title_fullStr International law and transboundary dams: lessons learned from the Binational Entity ITAIPU (Brazil and Paraguay)
title_full_unstemmed International law and transboundary dams: lessons learned from the Binational Entity ITAIPU (Brazil and Paraguay)
title_short International law and transboundary dams: lessons learned from the Binational Entity ITAIPU (Brazil and Paraguay)
title_sort international law and transboundary dams lessons learned from the binational entity itaipu brazil and paraguay
topic transboundary cooperation on water resources
international law
Paraguay
Brazil
South America
international rivers
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fclim.2023.1272254/full
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