Water conflicts under climate change: Research gaps and priorities

Climate change is known to worsen conflicts, but its combination with other factors affecting water-related conflicts remains less explored. Using a scoping review, this study examined research in the climate–water–conflict nexus. Using semi-automatic text mining approaches, key research gaps and differences in conflict factors and themes across different regions and conflict types were analyzed. Studies focused on Asia and Africa, with few exploring other regions. Governance and livelihoods emerged as significant factors in water-related conflict responses worldwide, with differences across regions. For instance, farmer–herder conflicts were common in Africa, while agriculture was more related to governance and water management in Asia. Research priorities forward should diversify the range of water-related conflict subjects and regions and give special focus to regions vulnerable to hydroclimatic change. More focus on cooperation and non-violent conflicts is also vital for understanding and being able to project and mitigate future water-related conflict responses to climate change.