Water, Governance, and Crime Issues

This book covers crimes involving water: pollution, illegal dumping, and supply chain disruption from a criminological perspective, with policy recommendations. This book examines a multifaceted issue both from a comparative policy perspective, as well as with individual case studies to provide insights on the magnitude of the problem as well as possible solutions. Water is one of the most basic human needs, and is indispensable to most economic activities, including agriculture, energy production, industry, and mining. In the current geopolitical climate, growing populations and economic sectors have put unprecedented pressures on this resource. Where there is scarcity of water and a high demand, illegal markets have developed. An understanding of the problem, and effective regulation is vital to ensure the sustainability, long-term viability, and equitable use of this resource. The first part of the book examines criminological and policy perspectives, including an overview of regulatory approaches, privatization of water resources, and the scope of the criminal problem in this area. The second part of the volume presents informative case studies from a variety of different regional and social contexts. Finally, the editors present an outlook in policy and enforcement improvements. This work will be of interest to researchers in criminology and criminal justice, as well as public policy and comparative law. It will also be of interest to those studying environmental regulations and sustainability.