Indigenous Peoples and Industry Water Users: Mapping the Conflicts Worldwide

Abstract

This article presents the findings of a mapping study undertaken in 2014 to determine the characteristics of conflicts between governments, private industrial users and indigenous peoples over the use of water resources. Gathering information about 384 situations of water-related conflicts reported around the world during 1960–2014, the study found that mining and hydropower development were the most conflict-ridden types of projects. In only 3 per cent of the cases had the parties reached the stage of formal cooperative agreements. Conflicts had significant impacts on operations, since one-third of projects had to be either cancelled or renegotiated. There is an urgent need to develop successful ways of cooperation between indigenous peoples, states and industries.