Re-evaluate water governance: A cross model between law and management

Freshwater is source of life for human beings and, in the meantime, is characterized by scarcity, vulnerability and - sometimes - a non-equitable distribution. Water is also an important resource, useful for different human activities, interests and purposes. Firstly, water is used in different production processes as fundamental production input in the primary sector (i.e. agriculture, fishing) but also in manufacturing (for instance, textile and paper production) and the third sector (tourism activities and hospitality sector). Furthermore, thanks to hydropower installations water is an important primary source of renewable energy too. In doing so, it contributes to decarbonize the energy sector by reducing greenhouse gases emissions (in particular, carbon dioxide) during the energy production phase. Due to climate change, however, freshwater is becoming scarcer, and a suitable water governance can play a fundamental role for managing its different uses, which may be in competition among each other. Starting from these premises, this contribution aims to reflect on the three environmental governance pillars - participatory rights for nature: access to information, access to participation, access to justice, through critical legal analysis and the ecological ethics of empathy (ability to enter in communion with the others’ emotions), compassion (ability to feel together), and care (ability to take restoring actions). The objectives of the research are to i) redesign the legal response to the ecological challenges concerning water, with a focus on our obligations towards water (rights of water), ii) explore on the role of the different freshwater uses as key components of an improved water resources management. In the long term, the study is expected to contribute to the scientific progress towards the achievement of the Agenda 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in times of environmental and health crisis, by reflecting upon water governance model that bridges legal and management issues. More specifically, the study scope is linked to SDG 6: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all”, targets 6.1, 6.4 and 6.5.