Heavy toll on affected communities…
• estimated 40-80 million physically displaced
• significant number of others affected
• failure to adequately
recognise & respond to
those affected
• negative impacts fall
disproportionately on
disadvantaged
• inequity is not addressed in ‘balance sheet’
approach
Dams and Development - Report of the World Commission on Dams
Alternatives often exist…
• reduce demand by increasing end-use efficiency
• defer new supply by enhancing supply &
conveyance efficiency
• extend life and performance through improved
land & water management
• promote alternative supply options, including
small-scale & locally appropriate approaches
Dams and Development - Report of the World Commission on Dams
Lack of compliance…
• weak regulatory frameworks & lack
of enforcement
• little public participation & scrutiny
• top down decision-making, often
politically motivated
• past conflicts remain unresolved with no
legal recourse
• vested interests in favour of large infrastructure
• no incentives or sanctions
Dams and Development - Report of the World Commission on Dams
Summary findings…
• lack of systematic evaluation of dam projects
• considerable scope to improve performance
• economic profitability is elusive – many externalities
• all too often impacts on people & ecosystems are
unacceptable and avoidable
• alternatives to dams exist that are acceptable &
viable – depends on location
• the means to improve development outcomes exists
but are not yet common practice
Dams and Development - Report of the World Commission on Dams
The way forward –
New framework for decision-making
To improve development
outcomes, the Commission
presents a new framework for
decision-making based on
recognising rights and
assessing risks of all
interested parties
Dams and Development - Report of the World Commission on Dams
The Way Forward
• Move beyond the simple
“balance –sheet approach”…
…to shared values, objectives and goals
• Internationally accepted norms are basis
for WCD recommendations
• Adopt a rights and risks approach
• Define whose rights and what risks
Dams and Development - Report of the World Commission on Dams
Move beyond the simple “balance-sheet”
approach that…
• trades off losses and gains between groups
• impoverishes some people
• excludes people and limits awareness
• overlooks sustainability aspects
• induces conflict and higher costs
Dams and Development - Report of the World Commission on Dams
Towards shared values, objectives & goals…
• equity
• efficiency
• participatory decision-making
• sustainability
• accountability
Dams and Development - Report of the World Commission on Dams
Internationally accepted norms are basis for
WCD recommendations…
• UN Declaration of Human Rights
• Declaration on the Right to Development
• Rio Principles
Dams and Development - Report of the World Commission on Dams
Adopt a rights & risks approach…
Future planning & decision-making
should be guided by – a recognition of rights
– an assessment of risks
to determine who has a legitimate place in
negotiating outcomes
Dams and Development - Report of the World Commission on Dams
Define whose rights & what risks…
Rights
• No party’s rights should extinguish another’s
• Where rights compete – negotiated agreements
are needed
Risks
• Move beyond considering voluntary risk takers
to include involuntary risk bearers
Dams and Development - Report of the World Commission on Dams
Turning Conflict Into Consensus
Seven Strategic priorities
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Gain public acceptance
Assess options
Address existing dams
Sustain rivers and livelihoods
Recognise entitlements and share benefits
Ensure compliance
Share rivers across boundaries
Dams and Development - Report of the World Commission on Dams
Gaining public acceptance…
• dams affect existing rights & create wide range
of risks
• opportunities exist for achieving a higher level
of equity
• recognise rights of indigenous & tribal peoples
• achieve outcomes through binding formal
agreements
Dams and Development - Report of the World Commission on Dams
Comprehensive options
assessment…
• failure to adequately define
needs & assess options led to
dispute
• an early and open examination
of options can avoid poor
projects
• raise the significance of social
& environmental aspects
• increase the effectiveness of
existing systems as a priority
Dams and Development - Report of the World Commission on Dams
Address existing dams…
• most dams that will operate in
the 21st century already exist
• considerable scope exists for
improving benefits
• remedy outstanding social
issues & …
…enhance mitigation,
restoration & enhancement of
ecosystems
• use licences to formalise
operating agreements
Dams and Development - Report of the World Commission on Dams
Sustain rivers and livelihoods…
• rivers support millions of livelihoods
• dams cause significant and often
irreversible effects on ecosystems
• value rivers, ecosystems & endangered
species
• emphasise avoidance
of impacts
• maintain ecosystem
integrity through
environmental flows
Dams and Development - Report of the World Commission on Dams
Recognise entitlements & share benefits …
• many people displaced - many
more unrecognised
• including those who depend on a
river’s resources
• recognise rights and assess risks
as a basis for negotiations
• agree legally enforceable
entitlements
• adversely affected people become
first among beneficiaries
Dams and Development - Report of the World Commission on Dams
Ensure compliance …
• many policies and guidelines exist..
• but often a failure to fulfil obligations
• need a compliance plan covering all commitments
to people and the environment
• introduce initiatives to reduce corruption
• develop incentive framework for compliance
Dams and Development - Report of the World Commission on Dams
Share rivers across boundaries…
• conflicts over transboundary rivers due to
power imbalance
• experience suggests disputes can be resolved
• endorse the UN Convention principles
• go beyond sharing water - to sharing the benefits
• encourage consistent policies for financing
agencies
Dams and Development - Report of the World Commission on Dams
The Commission’s Criteria & Guidelines…
Government
Civil Society
International
Standards
International
Agreements
Multilateral &
Bilateral
Organisations
Private Sector
Professional
Organisations
…in a wider framework
Dams and Development - Report of the World Commission on Dams
Needs assessment
Five key
decision
points…
Criteria 1
Selecting Alternatives
Investigative Studies
Criteria 2
Criteria 2a
Non-Dam Options
Policy, programme, projects
Dam Options
Project Preparation
Criteria 3
Project Implementation
Criteria 4
Project Operation
Criteria 5
Dams and Development - Report of the World Commission on Dams
Guidelines for good practice…
Which include:
Environmental
flow
Performance
bonds
Prior
Informed
consent
Project
benefit-sharing
Stakeholder
analysis
Greenhouse
gas
emissions
Compliance
plan
Multi-criteria
analysis
Dams and Development - Report of the World Commission on Dams
Dams in the pipeline - general
• Establish a stakeholder forum
based on rights and risks approach
• Undertake distribution analysis
• Promote development opportunities
and benefit sharing
• Provide for an environmental flow
• Include recourse and compliance
mechanisms
Dams and Development - Report of the World Commission on Dams
Dams in the pipeline - it’s not too late
Feasibility - assess all options
- gain public acceptance
Design
- prepare Compliance Plan
- contractualise benefit sharing
- determine environmental flow
Construction - formalise commitments
Dams and Development - Report of the World Commission on Dams
Improve Development outcomes
Using the WCD’s
framework will reduce
cost, save time and
avoid conflicts while
achieving more
equitable outcomes
Dams and Development - Report of the World Commission on Dams