Flash Flood Risk Management – A Training of Trainers ... - ReliefWeb

Day 8
Precautionary principle
The precautionary principle can broadly be defined as “the imposition of controls in advance of complete
scientific understanding” (WMO 2006). In the context of environmental protection, Principle 15 of the Rio
Declaration provides that: “where there are threats of serious or irreversible damage, lack of full scientific
certainty shall not be used as a reason for postponing cost-effective measures to prevent environmental
degradation” (UN, 1992a).
A precautionary approach could equally be taken with respect to the protection of human life or property.
Article 3(3) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change states that: “The Parties should
take precautionary measures to anticipate, prevent or minimise the causes of climate change and mitigate
its adverse effects. Where there are threats of serious or irreversible damage, lack of full scientific certainty
should not be used as a reason for postponing such measures, taking into account that policies and measures
to deal with climate change should be cost-effective so as to ensure global benefits at the lowest possible
cost” (UN, 1992b).
Legal framework for IFM in transboundary basins
The HKH region has many transboundary river basins. The most relevant law relating to flood management
issues at the transboundary level is the Law of International Watercourses, which includes United Nations
Watercourse Convention. It will be necessary to explore whether other provisions, such as the protection of
the environment and the principles enunciated in other related international conventions and protocols, could
be drawn upon to establish a legal framework for IFM in transboundary basins.
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