Addressing knowledge gaps for transboundary environmental governance

Abstract

Knowledge is widely considered a key ingredient for the effective and sustainable governance of the environment. In transboundary settings—i.e., where political boundaries cross natural resource system boundaries—there are considerable barriers to knowledge production and use. Resulting knowledge gaps can be barriers to governance. This research examines three case studies in which international river basin organizations, tasked with facilitating cooperation in transboundary river basins, recognized and addressed knowledge gaps to support governance of shared waters. We synthesize across the three case studies to develop a typology of knowledge gaps and the strategies used to address those gaps. In identifying common types of knowledge gaps and the on-the-ground strategies used to fill them, this research provides an important framework for assessing and theorizing knowledge at the transboundary scale, as well as useful recommendations and examples for practitioners seeking to develop that knowledge.

Publication Type
Journal Article
Authors
Anita Milman, University of Massachusetts
Andrea K. Gerlak
Tamee Albrecht, University of Arizona
Mark Colosimo, International Joint Commission
Anoulak Kittikhoun
Péter Kovács, Ministry of Interior of Hungary
Richard Moy, International Joint Commission
Susanne Schmeier
Kelsey Wentling
William Werick
Ivan Zavadsky, International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River
Jim Ziegler
Date
Journal
Global Environmental Change
Share

Related Content