1Alexander LópezEnvironment, Development, and Sustainable Peace Initiative Environmental Conflicts and Regional Cooperation in the Lempa River Basin The Role of Central America´s Plan TrifinioAdelphi Research Mesoamerican Center for Sustainable Development of the Dry Tropics, National University of Costa RicaThe Environmental Change and Security Project (ECSP) Woodrow Wilson International Center for ScholarsAlexander López Trinational Commission of Plan Trifinio (preliminary pp. 4, 6 and pp. 1, 2) 10125_G5st/IFAD/C. Salazar (p. 12)10041_I12s/IFAD/F. Mattioli (pp. 20, 21)G. D. Dabelko (p. 25)WELTFORMAT.DESIGN, Berlin www.weltformat.deOktoberdruck, BerlinPrinted on 100% recycled paper of Papier UnionISBN: 3-9809591-1-2© The Publishers, 2004ImprintPublished by: Author: Photos: Design / Production: Printed by: Material:Environmental Conflicts and Regional Cooperation in the Lempa River Basin The Role of Central America´s Plan TrifinioAdelphi Research Adelphi Research is a Berlin-based nonprofit institute active in sustainability science, global environmental change, policy analysis, and public policy consulting. We conduct research, facilitate policy dialogues, and develop research programmes and projects. The programme on environment, conflict, and cooperation comprises more than 50 initiatives, projects, conferences, workshops, and stakeholder dialogues, as well as numerous publications. Adelphi Research has worked with international organisations, bilateral aid agencies, the European Commission, federal ministries, international NGOs, and environmental agencies. Adelphi Research participates in international and interdisciplinary efforts to scientifically examine the important links between environment, development, and peace. The institute promotes dialogue and facilitates platforms for ex-change between scientists and decision-makers. It helps develop integrated programmes and cross-cutting projects that address the complex, cross-sectoral nature of environment and security links. Adelphi Research conducts policy briefings and consultations on natural resources, environment, development, and conflict preven-tion for donors, ministries, aid agencies, international organisations, and the private sector. For more information, visit www.adelphi-research.de.Alexander CariusDirectorAdelphi ResearchCaspar-Theyss Strasse 14a14193 Berlin, GermanyEmail: [email protected]: www.adelphi-research.deThe Mesoamerican Center for Sustainable Development of the Dry Tropics (CEMEDE)The Mesoamerican Center for Sustainable Development of the Dry Tropics (CEMEDE) is an interdisciplinary academic program at the Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica, located in Nicoya. It works on environmental, economic, social, cultural, and political issues in the Mesoamerican Dry Tropics and facilitates a forum for organisations and academic institutions interested in the region’s integrated and sustainable development. CEMEDE fulfills its mandate through re-search, education, and outreach that help improve the quality of life for residents of the Mesoamerican region. CEMEDE seeks to support processes with social impact, promote the sustainable management of natural resources in the Dry Tropics, encourage the formation of human capital, rescue and preserve the Mesoamerican cultural inheritance, and strengthen institutions at the local, national, and regional levels. CEMEDE’s priority areas include: integrated management of coastal areas, water resource management, regional integration, food security, managing socio-environmental risks and vulnerabilities, sustainable tourism, strengthening local governance, and socio-environmental conflict prevention and resolution. CEMEDE joined the EDSP Initiative following Alexander López’s earlier work on behalf of the Costa Rican Foundation of Foreign Service for Peace and Democracy (FUNPADEM). For more information, visit www.una.ac.cr/CEMEDE.Dr. Alexander LópezDirectorMesoamerican Center for Sustainable Development of the Dry TropicsNational University of Costa RicaP.O Box: 38-5200Nicoya, Costa RicaEmail: [email protected]: www.una.ac.cr/CEMEDEThe Environmental Change and Security Project (ECSP)The Environmental Change and Security Project (ECSP) is part of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, a nonparti-san institution supported by public and private funds and engaged in the study of national and world affairs. Since 1994, ECSP has explored the relationships among population, biodiversity, disease, water, economic development, migration, political stability, and vio-lent conflict. ECSP brings policymakers, practitioners, and scholars from around the world to Washington, D.C., to address the public and fellow experts on environmental and human security. The project publishes two annual journals, the Environmental Change and Security Project Report and the China Environment Series, along with a biannual newsletter and original research. Through ECSP‘s initiative Navigating Peace: Forging New Water Partnerships (funded by Carnegie Corporation of New York), working groups generate policy alternatives in three areas: balancing water’s social and economic values, analyzing water‘s potential to spur conflict and cooperation, and building dialogue between the United States and China using lessons from water conflict resolution. As one of its primary missions, ECSP explores the relationship between population growth and environmental degradation, and examines how population-environment dynamics affect foreign policy and global security. For more information, visit www.wilsoncenter.org/ecsp.Dr. Geoffrey D. DabelkoDirector, Environmental Change and Security ProjectWoodrow Wilson International Center for ScholarsOne Woodrow Wilson Plaza1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NWWashington DC 20004-3027; USAEmail: [email protected]: www.wilsoncenter.org/ecspThe Initiators of the Environment, Development, and Sustainable Peace (EDSP) InitiativeThe Environment, Development, and Sustainable Peace InitiativeThe Environment, Development, and Sustainable Peace (EDSP) Initiative is an international effort to bridge the gap between Northern and Southern perspectives on environment, development, population, poverty, confl ict, and peace. EDSP was initiated in 2001 by Adelphi Research, the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, and the Mesoamerican