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Transboundary cooperation a potential route to sustainable development in the Indus basin

Author

Listed:
  • Adriano Vinca

    (International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis
    University of Victoria)

  • Simon Parkinson

    (International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis
    University of Victoria)

  • Keywan Riahi

    (International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis
    University of Victoria
    TU Graz)

  • Edward Byers

    (International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis)

  • Afreen Siddiqi

    (Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Harvard Kennedy School)

  • Abubakr Muhammad

    (Lahore University of Management Sciences)

  • Ansir Ilyas

    (Lahore University of Management Sciences)

  • Nithiyanandam Yogeswaran

    (TERI School of Advanced Studies)

  • Barbara Willaarts

    (International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis)

  • Piotr Magnuszewski

    (International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis)

  • Muhammad Awais

    (International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis
    University of Victoria)

  • Andrew Rowe

    (University of Victoria)

  • Ned Djilali

    (University of Victoria
    Chongqing University)

Abstract

With a rapidly growing population of 250 million, the Indus river basin in South Asia is one of the most intensively cultivated regions on Earth, highly water stressed and lacking energy security. Yet, most studies advising sustainable development policy have lacked multi-sectoral and cross-country perspectives. Here we show how the countries in the Indus basin could lower costs for development and reduce soil pollution and water stress by cooperating on water resources and electricity and food production. According to this analysis, Indus basin countries need to increase investments to US$10 billion per yr to mitigate water scarcity issues and ensure improved access to resources by 2050. These costs could shrink to US$2 billion per yr, with economic gains for all, if countries pursued more collaborative policies. Downstream regions would benefit most, with reduced food and energy costs and improved water access, while upstream regions would benefit from new energy investments. Using integrated water–energy–land analysis, this study quantifies the potential benefits of novel avenues to sustainable development arising from greater international cooperation.

Suggested Citation

  • Adriano Vinca & Simon Parkinson & Keywan Riahi & Edward Byers & Afreen Siddiqi & Abubakr Muhammad & Ansir Ilyas & Nithiyanandam Yogeswaran & Barbara Willaarts & Piotr Magnuszewski & Muhammad Awais & A, 2021. "Transboundary cooperation a potential route to sustainable development in the Indus basin," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 4(4), pages 331-339, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natsus:v:4:y:2021:i:4:d:10.1038_s41893-020-00654-7
    DOI: 10.1038/s41893-020-00654-7
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    Cited by:

    1. David Horan, 2021. "The SDGs as an Integrative Framework to Assess Coherence of Transnational Multistakeholder Partnerships for SIDS," Working Papers 202110, Geary Institute, University College Dublin.
    2. N. Englezos & X. Kartala & P. Koundouri & M. Tsionas & A. Alamanos, 2023. "A Novel HydroEconomic - Econometric Approach for Integrated Transboundary Water Management Under Uncertainty," Environmental & Resource Economics, Springer;European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, vol. 84(4), pages 975-1030, April.

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