Masters of the Meuse: Navigating water scarcity in a shared river basin

Title: Masters of the Meuse: Navigating water scarcity in a shared river basin

Overview
Water management in transboundary river basins is one of the most pressing challenges in the face of climate change and competing sectoral demands. Masters of the Meuse is a serious game designed to simulate the complexities of water allocation and governance in the international Meuse River basin, shared by France, Flanders, Wallonia, the Netherlands, and Germany. By assuming the roles of national water managers, players experience firsthand the intricacies of balancing diverse priorities while preventing regional conflicts caused by water scarcity.

Why Participate?
The Meuse River supports nature, agriculture, industry, drinking water, energy production, recreation and cargo shipping. Over 7 million people in the Netherlands and Flanders rely on the Meuse for drinking water, highlighting the river's critical importance. Competing demands, compounded by climate change, increasingly strain the availability and quality of water resources, making effective and transboundary management more urgent. The game provides an interactive platform to explore the complexities of balancing regional priorities, ensuring sustainable water use, and promoting stability. It is especially valuable for policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders in water management.

Objectives
The game aims to:

• Develop a deeper understanding of transboundary water governance.

• Provide an immersive experience in managing water scarcity in the context of climate change and to Illustrate the importance of balancing economic, ecological, and societal priorities.
• Stimulate the international dialogue on how to manage water resources equitably and sustainably and foster collaboration and negotiation skills for conflict prevention.

Gameplay and Insights
Participants represent countries in the Meuse River Basin, each with distinct water needs. The game unfolds over five rounds, each presenting key decisions:

• Water allocation: Distribute limited resources across sectors and river systems.
• Negotiation: Collaborate with neighbouring countries to address cross-border challenges and prevent conflict.
• Event and climate impacts: Respond to disruptions like extreme weather or droughts.
• Conflict management: A shared Conflict Tracker monitors tensions. If one country’s demand exceeds supply, the entire region faces a collective loss.

 

 

Success in the game hinges on finding innovative and collaborative solutions that balance national interests with the shared goal of regional stability. This experience simulates the real-world challenges of managing shared water resources in an unpredictable climate.

Relevance to EGU 2025
Masters of the Meuse offers a unique opportunity for researchers, policymakers, and educators to explore the intersection of science, policy, and society. It highlights how hydroclimatic factors, governance frameworks, and negotiation dynamics interact in shared water systems.

Impact
The Meuse River represents the broader challenge of managing shared natural resources globally. By engaging with these issues, participants gain valuable insights into collaborative decision-making and sustainable water use practices.

Join Us
Discover how Masters of the Meuse translates scientific challenges into actionable insights and equips participants with the tools to address the complexities of transboundary water governance. Join us on-site at EGU 2025 in Vienna to experience the game and participate in discussions on its potential applications for research, education, and policymaking.

Together, let’s master the challenges of the Meuse and beyond!