Cooperation in transboundary water sharing with issue linkage: Game-theoretical case study in the Volta Basin
File version
Author(s)
Liebe, Jens
Griffith University Author(s)
Primary Supervisor
Other Supervisors
Editor(s)
Date
Size
File type(s)
Location
License
Abstract
This paper investigates issue linkage of water and energy in transboundary water sharing agreements and evaluates how such issue linkages can enhance the scope of cooperation between upstream and downstream countries. In a case study on transboundary water sharing between Burkina Faso and Ghana, the main upstream and downstream riparians in the Volta Basin, the paper evaluates both the scope and sustainability of such cooperation based on issue linkage. In the framework of a static Stackelberg game with numerical analysis, it is found that the interdependency of countries can lead to efficient and effective solutions regarding water sharing. In the cooperation phase, Ghana has the opportunity to increase its water consumption for agriculture, which is currently restricted, while Burkina Faso benefits from discounted hydropower as a compensation for restricting its water consumption. In such a case, the cooperation is mutually beneficial and stable. However, such interdependency may not be sustainable in the very long term, i.e., when population increase induces Burkina Faso to increase its water consumption and destabilizes the cooperation based on the water and energy issue linkage. Overall, the results show that issue linkages within the water sector might present additional strategies to generate benefits from cooperation on transboundary rivers by taking into account more than water use alone. The collective benefits of hydropower can lead to an overall improvement in welfare.
Journal Title
Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management
Conference Title
Book Title
Edition
Volume
139
Issue
3
Thesis Type
Degree Program
School
Publisher link
Patent number
Funder(s)
Grant identifier(s)
Rights Statement
Rights Statement
Item Access Status
Note
Access the data
Related item(s)
Subject
Civil engineering
Environmental engineering
Applied economics
Environment and resource economics
Hydrology