Through the study of the Baia Mare case - a case of cyanide and heavy metal pollution of one of the Danube's affluent river between Romania and Hungary - this study elucidates the process through which new governance tools can be devised in order to address a transboundary pollution crisis. A prospective analysis of future developments will be provided, as well as policy-oriented recommendations on the management of transborder pollution and of the conflicts that may arise from it.