Data Innovations for Transboundary Freshwater Resources Management

Book excerpt: In Data Innovations for Transboundary Freshwater Resources Management: Are Obligations Related to Information Exchange Still Needed?, Christina Leb discusses how technology innovations disrupt the conventional methods of data and information exchange and the potential impact this may have on international water law. Cross-border data and information exchange is one of the most challenging issues for transboundary water management. Only a small number of treaties include direct obligations related to mutual data and information exchange. Technological innovations related to real-time data availability, space technology and earth observation have led to an increase in quality and availability of hydrological, meteorological and geo-spatial data. These innovations open new avenues for access to water related data and transform data and information exchange globally. This monograph is an exploratory assessment of the potential impacts of these disruptive technologies on data and information exchange obligations in international water law.