The evolution of emergency river basin management in Brazil: a focus on water and energy

As pressures on water and energy systems increase, integrated governance of water-energy nexus has gained importance. In Brazil, where hydropower is the main source of electricity and droughts are frequent, managing this nexus is particularly challenging. This study draws on Brazil’s national resolution database to present the first country-wide analysis of emergency river basin management focused on water and energy. Results show a transition from reactive, short-term measures to a standardized regime based on predefined thresholds under a governance system that shifted the decentralized approach to a more centralized one. In hydropower-dominated basins, this shift has led to a new governance approach, with limited coordination between upstream reservoir operations and downstream water demands. Although the largely centralized governance enabled rapid crisis responses, it may limit flexibility in long-term adaptation. Recent regulatory changes, including the adoption of priority-based water rights, may help address these conflicts. However, challenges remain, and we explore the potential institutional and operational advances to ensure their effectiveness.