Governança global da água nas cidades: a atuação dos governos locais na concretização do direito humano à água no atual contexto de mudanças climáticas

Abstract

This doctoral research is dedicated to investigating the role the role played by subnational entities, notably local governments, in the global water governance process in cities, emphasizing the paradiplomatic role of cities with regard to the management of water resources and the realization of the right to water in the current context of climate change. In the 21st century, the debate about the governance of water resources in urban space gains importance, as humanity has been going through an intense process of urbanization. In this scenario, the two main water challenges impacting the sustainability of cities are the lack of access to safe water and adequate sanitation and the increase in water-related disasters, both intertwined with climate change. Simultaneously, the unsustainability of the urban way of life, global warming, water scarcity, in short, the multiple overlapping crises of today, have called into question the role played by national States in the governance of common global goods and interests, such as water. On the other hand, the agreements and commitments assumed by countries at the international level, notably in environmental matters, require the implementation of policies and actions by subnational governments, in addition to the participation of other actors, for their realization. This process aroused in cities the interest and willingness to become protagonists not only in the execution, but, above all, in the definition of various themes on the international agenda, often assuming broader commitments than the central government of the respective State. In this context, this research was developed from the following problem: it is feasible to adopt a global water governance model that operates from a bottom-up approach, based on the diversity of actors interacting in multiple networks, characteristic of the regime of emerging climate governance? If so, what are the guiding parameters of the role played by subnational governments from this new approach to global water governance in realizing the human right to water? In this sense, the thesis aims to analyze the international documents related to the environment, climate change and water protection, as well as the PNRH and the Brazilian constitutional and infraconstitutional urban norms, with the purpose of measuring, from a conception of ecosystem governance, the feasibility of adopting a global water governance model analogous to the emerging climate governance regime, based on the diversity of actors interacting in multiple networks, as a way to provide greater water security and the realization of the right of access drinking water and sanitation in the current context of water crisis and climate change. For this purpose, a descriptive methodology is used, with a qualitative approach, through bibliographic and documental analysis procedures. In the end, it was concluded, from the outstanding performance of cities in the transnational climate regime and its hybrid characteristics, that global water governance, in the current climate change context, should privilege a greater participation of cities, taking advantage of the potential of governance of local governments and their transnational networks to realize the right to access drinking water and adequate sanitation.