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Transboundary Environmental Impact Assessment of Large Dams in the E uphrates– T igris Region: An Analysis of International Law Binding I ran, I raq, S yria and T urkey
Author(s) -
Bremer Nicolas C.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
review of european, comparative and international environmental law
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.37
H-Index - 18
eISSN - 2050-0394
pISSN - 2050-0386
DOI - 10.1111/reel.12145
Subject(s) - riparian zone , international waters , business , commit , international trade , political science , law , computer science , habitat , ecology , biology , database
The E uphrates– T igris river system is among the most intensely developed freshwater resources worldwide. At the centre of its development are large‐scale dams supplying extensive irrigation schemes and hydroelectric power plants, which substantially impact the river system's dynamic and water quality. Due to the international dimension of the utilization of cross‐border freshwater systems, the impacts of the freshwater developments of I ran, I raq, S yria and T urkey can only be effectively addressed by environmental impact assessment ( EIA ), which takes into account transboundary effects. Since domestic EIA regulations of the E uphrates– T igris riparian States pay little attention to transboundary effects, and no treaty would commit them to transboundary EIA in respect to the river system, such a requirement may only derive from customary international law. This article will show to what extent transboundary EIA is required by customary international law and how far these provisions bind the E uphrates– T igris riparian States.