Climate change impact on the quality of freshwater resources and waste management in the context of 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development

Abstract

Abstract The importance of the effects of climate change has been emphasized on a variety of levels and from a number of different perspectives: on a country, regional or international level; affecting agriculture, energy, tourism, shipping, economic activities, various ecosystems as well as human health. It has been repeatedly recognized that climate change has a significant impact on freshwaters, including on their quality, availability and sustainability. From a different perspective, that of the circular economy, management strategies applied in respect to freshwaters have a direct impact on the climate. At the same time, improper waste management has a very high negative contribution to the latest climate changes, on one hand, and on the quality and availability of freshwater resources, on the other hand. Nevertheless, how all the three different above-mentioned elements – climate change, freshwater resources and waste management – are linked in the context of 2030 Agenda on sustainable development is yet to be thoroughly discussed in the scientific literature in the field of environmental law. Thus, by analysing a sample of the legal doctrine contributions published starting from 2016, as well as several official documents issued by the United Nations, we aimed to establish if all the three above-mentioned elements are interlinked and how they impact each other. As a result, we determined that there is a clear necessity for states to take unified measures to address climate change, protection and management of the freshwater resources and consistent waste management in the context of the Sustainable development goals (SDGs) introduced by the 2030 Agenda.