Scales of justice in water governance: Hydropower controversies in Switzerland

Water Policy

Volumn 16, Issue , 2014, Pages 137-154

  Schneider, F ^a,c   Buser, T ^a,d   Graefeb, O ^b  

^a UNIVERSITY OF BERN   (Switzerland)

^b UNIVERSITY OF FRIBOURG   (Switzerland)

^c ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY   (United States)

^d SWISS FEDERAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE WSL   (Switzerland)

Author keywords

Justice; Politics of scale; Scalar complexity; Water governance

Indexed keywords

EID: 84920034971     PISSN: 13667017     EISSN: None     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.2166/wp.2014.405     Document Type: Article

References (73)

1. Arbeitsgruppe Wasserkraft (2011). Strategie Wasserkraft Kanton Wallis. Ziele, Stossrichtungen und Massnahmen. Schlussbericht der Arbeitsgruppe Wasserkraft zuhanden des Staatsrats des Kantons Wallis. (Hydropower strategy of the canton of Valais. Goals, impact directions, and measures. Final report of the hydropower working group to the canton of Valais government.) https://www.vs.ch/Press/DS-3/CP-2011-07-07-18821/de/01-StrategieWasserkraft-07-07-2011-DE.pdf (accessed October 4 2013).
2. BAFU ( 2012). Umgang Mit Lokaler Wasserknappheit in der Schweiz. Bericht des Bundesrates zum Postulat
3. BFE (2009). 08.445 Parlamentarische Initiative Angemessene Wasserzinsen. Vorentwurf zur Änderung des Artikels 49 WRG. Auswertung der Vernehmlassung. (Parliamentary initiative for reasonable water interest rates. Preliminary report for changing Article 49 WRG. Evaluation of consultation.) http://www.parlament.ch/d/dokumentation/berichte/vernehmlassungen/1998-2007/08445/Documents/bericht-urek-s-08-445-2009-02-03-d.pdf (accessed October 4 2013).
4. BFE (2010). Mehr Geld für Wasserkraftkantone und für Erneuerbaren Strom. (Higher revenue for hydropower cantons and renewable energy.) http://www.bfe.admin.ch/energie/00588/00589/00644/index.html?lang=de&msg-id=36019 (accessed October 1 2013).
5. BFE (2013). Schweizerische Elektrizitätsstatistik 2012. (Swiss electricity statistics 2012.) Swiss Federal Office of Energy, Bern.
6. BFS (2013). Kennzahlen, Regionalporträts 2013: Kantone. (Figures, portraits of the regions 2013: Cantons.) Swiss Statistics, Neuchâtel.
7. Bickerstaff, K. & Agyeman, J. (2009). Assembling justice spaces: the scalar politics of environmental justice in NorthEast England. Antipode 41(4), 781-806.
8. Bolin, B., Collins, T. & Darby, K. (2008). Fate of the verde: water, environmental conflict, and the politics of scale in Arizona's central highlands. Geoforum, 39(3), 1494-1511.
9. Brenner, N. (2001). The limits to scale? Methodological reflections on scalar structuration. Progress in Human Geography 25(4), 591-614.
10. Brooks, D. B. & Linton, J. (2011). Governance of transboundary aquifers: balancing efficiency, equity and sustainability. International Journal of Water Resources Development 27(3), 431-462.
11. Cooper, J. & McKenna, J. (2008). Social justice in coastal erosion management: the temporal and spatial dimensions. Geoforum 39(1), 294-306.
12. Cox, K. R. (1998a). Representation and power in the politics of scale. Political Geography 17(1), 41-44.
13. Cox, K. R. (1998b). Spaces of dependence, spaces of engagement and the politics of scale, or: looking for local politics. Political Geography 17(1), 1-23.
14. Cutter, S. L., Holm, D. & Clark, L. (1996). The role of geographic scale in monitoring environmental justice. Risk Analysis 16 (4), 517-526.
15. Debbané, A. M. & Keil, R. (2004). Multiple disconnections: environmental justice and urban water in Canada and South Africa. Space and Polity 8(2), 209-225.
16. Delaney, D. & Leitner, H. (1997). The political construction of scale. Political Geography 16(2), 93-97.
17. Die Zeit (2009). Die Wasserlobby. Wie funktioniert eine erfolgreiche Schweizer Lobby? Ein Porträt der Alpen-Opec, die über unser Wasser herrscht. (The water lobby. How does a successful Swiss lobby work? A portrait of the Opec of the Alps, which governs our water.) Die Zeit, 23.3.2009.
18. Dore, J. & Lebel, L. (2010). Deliberation and scale in Mekong Region water governance. Environmental Management 46(1), 60-80.
19. EFV (2013). Finanzausgleich, Zahlen, Datengrundlagen 2008-2013. http://www.efv.admin.ch/d/dokumentation/finanzpolitik- grundlagen/finanzausgleich.php# (accessed October 1 2013).
20. Flick, U. (2005). Qualitative Sozialforschung. Eine Einführung. Rowohlt Taschenbuch Verlag, Reinbek bei Hamburg.
21. Fraser, N. (2009). Scales of Justice: Re-Imagining Political Space in a Globalizing World. Columbia University Press, New York.
22. Graefe, O. (2013). The river basin as a territorial water management unit. Towards post-political water management. In: European Continental Hydrosystems under Changing Water Policy. Arnaud-Fassetta, G, Masson, E. & Reynard, E. (eds). Friedrich Pfeil Verlag, München, pp. 11-16.
23. Groenfeldt, D. (2006). Multifunctionality of agricultural water: looking beyond food production and ecosystem services. Irrigation and Drainage 55(1), 73-83.
24. Harvey, D. (1996). Justice, nature and the geography of difference. Blackwell Publishers, Cambridge, Mass.
25. Heynen, N. C. (2003). The scalar production of injustice within the urban forest. Antipode 35(5), 980-998.
26. Infosperber ( 2012). Milliarden-Poker um Walliser Wasserkraft. Infosperber, 21.6.2012.
27. Islar, M. (2012). Struggles for recognition: privatisation of water use rights of Turkish rivers. Local Environment 17(3), 317-329.
28. Kanton Wallis (1990). Gesetz über die Nutzbarmachung der Wasserkräfte, Art.20. http://www.vs.ch/Navig/navig.asp? MenuID=4628&Language=de (accessed October 4 2013).
29. Kanton Wallis (2012). Dekret betreffend die Genehmigung bestimmter Kommunaler Verfügungen und Vereinbarungen über die Nutzbarmachung der Wasserkräfte öffentlicher Gewässer. http://www.vs.ch/Navig/navig.asp?MenuID=4628&Language=de (accessed October 4 2013).
30. Kurtz, H. E. (2003). Scale frames and counter-scale frames: constructing the problem of environmental injustice. Political Geography 22(8), 887-916.
31. Le Nouvelliste ( 2010). L'or Bleu du Valais Suscite un Flot D'émotion. (The blue gold of the Valais raises a wave of emotions.) Le Nouvelliste, 25.11.2010.
32. Le Nouvelliste ( 2011). Nous ne Devons pas Répéter la Même Erreur. (We should not repeat the same mistake.) Le Nouvelliste, 2.3.2011.
33. Le Nouvelliste (2012). Les Communes Concédantes Posent Leurs Exigences. (The conceding communes set their demands.) Le Nouvelliste 17.4.2012.
34. Le Temps ( 2007). Les cantons alpins veulent être mieux payés pour l'or bleu qu'ils fournissent. (The alpine cantons demand greater revenue for the blue gold they provide.) Le Temps, 7.8.2007.
35. Le Temps ( 2012a). Le Valais Doit se Réapproprier ses Barrages. (The Valais must re-appropriate its hydropower dams.) Le Temps, 13.2.2012.
36. Le Temps ( 2012b). Moratoire Valaisan sur les Hydrodollars. (Valais' moratorium over hydrodollars.) Le Temps, 4.5.2012.
37. Lebel, L., Garden, P. & Imamura, M. (2005). The politics of scale, position, and place in the governance of water resources in the Mekong region. Ecology and Society 10(2), 18.
38. Loo, T. (2007). Disturbing the peace: environmental change and the scales of justice on a Northern River. Environmental History 12(4), 895-919.
39. Mauch, C. & Reynard, E. (2004). The Evolution of the National Water Regime in Switzerland. Report of EUWARENESS Switzerland. Lausanne.
40. McDonnell, R. A. (in press) Circulations and Transformations of Energy and Water in Abu Dhabi's Hydrosocial Cycle. Geo-forum(0).
41. NZZ (2012). 'Alpen-Opec' will bei der Wasserkraft Mehr Mitmischen. (The 'Opec of the Alps' wants in on hydropower.) NZZ, 16.1.2012.
42. NZZ ( 2013). Kantone und Energie Streit um Besteuerung der Wasserkraft Spitzt Sich zu. (Cantons and energy. The controversy over taxing hydropower increases.) NZZ, 23.3.2013.
43. NZZ am Sonntag ( 2011). Saudiarabien im Wallis-Eine Staumauer macht ein Walliser Tal auf einen Schlag Reich-Doch was Tun Mit Dem Geld? (Saudi Arabia in the Valais-a hydropower dam makes a valley in the Valais instantly rich-but what to do with the money?) NZZ am Sonntag, 27.3.2011.
44. Oberwalliser Gemeinden (2012). Heimfallstrategie (Sicht Gemeinden). (The strategy regarding reversions (the perspective of the communes).) 23.04.2012. http://www.infosperber.ch/data/attachements/Strategie%20der%20Wasserkraft-Gemeinden. pdf (accessed September 23 2013).
45. Patrick, M. J. (2012). Scale and Justice in Water Allocation. Theses: Doctorates and Masters. Paper 474. http://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/474.
46. Patrick, M. J. (2014). The cycles and spirals of justice in water-allocation decision making. Water International 39(1), 63-80.
47. Pena, H. (2011). Social Equity and Integrated Water Resource Management. TEC Background Paper(15). Global Water Partnership. http://www.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/files/file/Social%20Equity%20and%20Integrated%20water.pdf (accessed February 18 2014).
48. Radio Rhône FM (2012). Hydroélectricité Valaisanne: les Communes Concédantes Lâchent du lest mais Veulent Garder le Pouvoir de Décider. (Hydropower of the Valais: conceding communes back down but want to maintain the power to make decisions.) Radio Rhône FM, 16.4.2012.
49. Radio SRF (2011). Wallis ändert Besteuerung der Wasserkraft. (The Valais changes the tax system regarding hydropower.) Radio SRF, Regionaljournal Bern Freiburg Wallis, 1.7.2011.
50. Reynard, E. (2000). Gestion Patrimoniale et Intégrée des Ressources en eau Dans les Stations Touristiques de Montagne. Les cas de Crans-Montana-Aminona et Nendaz (Valais). (Integrated water resource management of tourist resorts in the Alps. The case of Crans-Montana-Aminona and Nendaz (Valais).) PhD Thesis, University of Lausanne.
51. Rote Anneliese (2008). Höchstpreise im Wallis, Dumpingpreise im Aargau. (Highest prices in the Valais, prices undercut in Aargau.) Rote Anneliese, 2.2008.
52. Rote Anneliese (2009a). Kritik an der Umverteilung von den Armen zu den Reichen Kantonen. (Criticizing redistribution from poor to rich cantons.) Rote Anneliese, 2.2009.
53. Rote Anneliese (2009b). 700 Millionen Gewinne aus Walliser Speicherkraftwerken. (Revenues of 700 billion from storage hydropower plants in the Valais.) Rote Anneliese, 6.2009.
54. Rote Anneliese (2010). Heimfall der Wasserkraft: Politischer Sprengstoff. (Reversion of hydropower: political dynamite.) Rote Anneliese, 6.2010.
55. Schlosberg, D. (2007). Defining Environmental Justice: Theories, Movements, and Nature. Oxford University Press, New York.
56. SNF ( 2013). National Research Programme 'Sustainable Water Management' (NRP 61). http://www.nfp61.ch/E/portrait/Pages/default.aspx (accessed October 4 2013).
57. Strang, V. (2004). The Meaning of Water. Berg, Oxford, New York.
58. Strauss, A. & Corbin, J. (1996). Grounded Theory: Grundlagen Qualitativer Sozialforschung. Psychologie Verlags Union, Weinheim.
59. Swyngedouw, E. (2000). Authoritarian governance, power, and the politics of rescaling. Environment and Planning D 18(1), 63-76.
60. Tagesanzeiger ( 2011). Walliser Tanz um die Wasserzinsen. (The dance of the Valais over water interest rates.) Tagesanzeiger, 15.1.2011.
61. Towers, G. (2000). Applying the political geography of scale: grassroots strategies and environmental justice. The Professional Geographer 52(1), 23-36.
62. Walker, G. (2009). Beyond distribution and proximity: exploring the multiple spatialities of environmental justice. Antipode 41(4), 614-636.
63. Walker, G. (2010). Environmental justice, impact assessment and the politics of knowledge: the implications of assessing the social distribution of environmental outcomes. Environmental Impact Assessment Review, 30(5), 312-318.
64. Walliser Bote (2011a). Warum Finhaut den Dorffrieden Verlor. (Why village peace was lost in Finhaut.) Walliser Bote, 12.4.2011.
65. Walliser Bote (2011b). Besteuerung der Wasserkraft Geändert. (Hydropower taxing was changed.) Walliser Bote, 1.7.2011.
66. Walliser Bote (2011c). Cina: 'Das Wallis muss wieder das Sagen haben'. (Cina: 'The Valais should have their say again'.) Walliser Bote, 29.12.2011.
67. Walliser Bote (2012a). SPO: 'Wallis muss Reichtum Selber in die Hand Nehmen'. (SPO: 'The Valais must gain control over its resources'.) Walliser Bote, 20.4.2012.
68. Walliser Bote (2012b). Der Konter: Staatsrat Jean-Michel Cina und Seine Klare Kritik. (The counter-attack: Councillor Jean-Michel Cina and his sharp criticism.) Walliser Bote, 28.4.2012.
69. Walliser Bote (2013a). Wir brauchen starke Partner. (We need strong partners.) Walliser Bote, 17.1.2013.
70. Walliser Bote (2013b). Krach um Kraftwerksteuern. (Conflict over hydropower taxes.) Walliser Bote, 3.4.2013.
71. Wegerich, K. (2007). A critical review of the concept of equity to support water allocation at various scales in the Amu Darya basin. Irrigation and Drainage Systems 21(3), 185-195.
72. Wyer, H. (2008). Die Nutzung Der Wasserkraft Im Wallis. Geschichte-Recht-Heimfall. (The use of hydropower in the Valais: history-law-reversion.) Rotten Verlag, Visp.
73. Young, I. M. (2011). Justice and the Politics of Difference. Princeton University Press, Princeton, New Jersey.