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Dams and Development E-Paper Contents

p. -1 of 74 BACK | NEXT Home Page of Dams and Development Foreword I. Why an e-paper on dams and development? II. Assessing options III. Participatory processes IV. Social impacts V. Environmental impacts VI. Benefit distribution VII. Dam safety and sustainability VIII. Existing projects IX. Improving governance X. What other organizations say XI. ADB, Dams, and Development XII. References Contact Us

International Hydropower Association

At its 2003 Council meeting, the International Hydropower Association adopted a set of Sustainability Guidelines:

'The International Hydropower Association (IHA) has produced these guidelines to promote greater consideration of environmental, social and economic aspects in the sustainability assessment of new hydro projects and the management and operation of existing power schemes. Thorough sustainability assessments should ensure that detrimental social and environmental impacts are avoided, mitigated or compensated and positive outcomes are maximised. Of necessity, the principles are generic since each particular power scheme and development project will have its own unique set of circumstances influenced by scale, geographic location, social, legal and political constructs. The guidelines will need to be adapted to the specific context of each particular project'.

The principles outlined in the Guidelines cover the following six elements:

• IHA policy
• The role of governments
• Decision making processes
• Hydropower - environmental aspects of sustainability
• Hydropower - social aspects of sustainability
• Hydropower - economic aspects of sustainability

Criteria are provided for comparing various energy options and comparing hydro-electric project alternatives. Mitigation options are proposed to 'optimise environmental outcomes of hydropower schemes' and strategies presented to achieve desired social outcomes.

In support of the Sustainability Guidelines, IHA has published a Compliance Protocol.

The Protocol comprises three sustainability rating assessments

1. Options Assessment - compares the sustainability of alternative energy supply options at the early stages of considering requirements for a new energy supply development.

2. Evaluation of Hydropower Projects - compares the sustainability of alternative hydropower projects at the siting and design stage of a development proposal; and

3. Appraisal of Hydropower Operation and Management - assesses the sustainability of existing hydropower schemes.

The first two rating assessments are intended to be used to establish which supply options would best meet sustainability criteria. The third is intended to be used as an industry self-evaluation tool to identify opportunities for performance improvements against sustainability criteria.

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