ABSTRACT
The aim of this chapter is to examine the crosscutting linkages between fundamental human rights – in this case the right to housing and right to property – and water-related impacts of climate change. The interrelationship between water stresses, water resources management and human rights raises particularly profound concerns when climate change and variability are taken into consideration. Several studies demonstrate that climate change will likely increase the unpredictability and incidence of extreme weather events including droughts in some locations and increased flooding, hurricanes, storm surges and sea level rise in others (IPCC, 2012). Such impacts will compound existing vulnerabilities within countries, with negative effects on poverty eradication, livelihoods viability and enjoyment of human rights (O’Brien and Leichenko, 2002; UNDP 2007; ICHRP, 2008).
