Transboundary Environmental Impact Assessment of Large Dams in the Euphrates-Tigris Region: An Analysis of International Law Binding Iran, Iraq, Syria and Turkey
Review of European Community & International Environmental Law (RECIEL), 25 (1) 2016
Posted: 16 Apr 2019
Date Written: February 1, 2016
Abstract
The Euphrates–Tigris river system is among the most intensely developed freshwater resources worldwide. At the centre of its development are large-scale dams supplying extensive irrigation schemes and hydroelectric power plants, which substantially impact the river system's dynamic and water quality. Due to the international dimension of the utilization of cross-border freshwater systems, the impacts of the freshwater developments of Iran, Iraq, Syria and Turkey can only be effectively addressed by environmental impact assessment (EIA), which takes into account transboundary effects. Since domestic EIA regulations of the Euphrates–Tigris riparian States pay little attention to transboundary effects, and no treaty would commit them to transboundary EIA in respect to the river system, such a requirement may only derive from customary international law. This article will show to what extent transboundary EIA is required by customary international law and how far these provisions bind the Euphrates–Tigris riparian States.
Keywords: Environmental Law, International Environmental Law, Public International Law, Environmental Impact Assessment, Transboundary Environmental Impact Assessment, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Turkey, obligation not to cause significant harm, no-harm rule, obligation to exchange information
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