the world commission on dams

PowerPoint Presentation

The World Commission on Dams

www.dams.org


Why a World Commission on Dams ?
In response to escalating conflicts over the role of dams in development, all constituents came together to establish the Commission


The Debate
Needs intensifying concerns growingMajor investments significant impactsDam projects increasingly questionedWCD - an unprecedented response to the controversy


Needs intensifying
freshwater withdrawals doubled in 50 years1 billion lack freshwater & 2 billion lack electricitycompetition for water increasingaquatic ecosystems are declining & wetlands have been lost


Major investments
45,000 large dams worldwide2 dams commissioned per day in1970stotal investment exceeds $2 trillion$40 billion expenditure per year at peakestimated 40 80 million people displacedflow in 60% of worlds rivers affected
2 000
0
4 000
6 000
Number Of Dams

1900
1990s


Dam projects increasingly questioned
affected populations strongly oppose damsproponents point to urgent development demandsopponents point to adverse impactsuprisings against globalisationlittle space for constructive dialogue


Unprecedented response to the controversy
WCD created through unanimous agreement broad based mandate to review development effectiveness & assess alternatives and develop internationally acceptable criteria and guidelinesaddress global problems through local understanding

Dams and Development - Report of the World Commission on Dams

Who was the Commission ?
Donald Blackmore
Joji Cario
Jan Veltrop
Gran Lindahl
Judy Henderson
Deborah Moore
Achim Steiner
Jos Goldemberg
Medha Patkar
Thayer Scudder


WCD - Diverse Perspectives
WCDs authority and credibility rested on the diversity of the Commissioners which was a guiding theme throughout its inclusive, transparent and participatory work programme


Independent and Legitimate
established through agreementmulti-stakeholder selection process of Commissionersno vested interest - reported to the worldhands on experience with all aspects of dams53 financiers - untied & broad based


Inclusive, Participatory & Transparent
full range of perspectives civil society to governments, private sector to NGOs, financiers to foundationsoutreach through work programme and networksextensive review processWCD Forum as a reference pointdraft studies on website www.dams.org


Commissioners
Financiers
Forum
World Commission on Dams


What did the Commission accomplish ?
The most comprehensive, global and independent review of dams from which it developed recommendations for future decision-making


WCD Report launched by Nelson Mandela at a major media event in London,16 November 2000


The Process
Knowledge driven review listening and learning from the pastMultifaceted analysis integrated assessmentExtensive negotiations within WCD led to agreed recommendations


Knowledge driven review
experiences from 79 countries & 1000 dams7 detailed case studies, 3 country studies, 125 cross check dams 17 thematic reviews, 130 contributing papersfour regional consultations - 1400 people950 submissions


Multifaceted analysis
assessed performance against planned targetsanalysed social & environmental impacts assessed alternatives for water & energy servicesanalysed planning, decision-making & complianceexamined how criteria have changed over time


Extensive negotiations within WCD led to agreed recommendations
linked the dams debate to development discoursenine Commission meetings listened & debated, examined & analysed common problems specific contexts


What did the Commission find from the knowledge base ?
Dams have delivered considerable benefits In too many cases the price paid to secure those benefits has been unacceptable and often unnecessary


Summary of WCD findings
lack of systematic evaluation of dam projects considerable scope to improve performance economic profitability is elusive many externalitiesall too often impacts on people & ecosystems are unacceptable and avoidablealternatives to dams exist that are acceptable & viable depends on locationthe means to improve development outcomes exists but are not yet common practice


To improve development outcomes, the Commission presents a new framework for decision-making based on recognising rights and assessing risks of all interested parties
The way forward new framework for decision-making


Turning Conflict Into Consensus
Gain public acceptance Assess options Address existing damsSustain rivers and livelihoods Recognise entitlements and share benefits Ensure complianceShare rivers across boundaries


Civil Society
International Agreements
Government
Private Sector
International Standards
Professional Organisations
Multilateral & Bilateral Organisations
The Commissions Criteria & Guidelines
in a wider framework


Guidelines for good practice

Environmental flow
Which include:
Stakeholder analysis
PriorInformedconsent
Multi-criteria analysis
Greenhouse gas emissions

Performance bonds

Project benefit-sharing
Compliance plan


The WCD
conducted first comprehensive review of performancefocused on options and complianceshowed that conflict is not inevitablepromoted a rights, risks approach to negotiate outcomesshowed that common ground can be reached


Post WCD Developments
Report dissemination and buy in3rd Forum MeetingInterim arrangementsDams and Development Unit


Some Lessons Derived from the Experience
Dont underestimate the time required for the process to be successfulParticipation is not a guarantee for consensusIndependence, multi-stakeholder composition, transparency, inclusiveness and accessibility were crucial factors


WCD and the Draft MSP Framework
WCD process conforms with many features described in parts III and IVWCD design and process unique to its needsWCD is a valuable resource pool of documentation and expertise on the process


Dont plan, build, protest, operate, decommission, propose, oppose or discuss a dam without the WCD Report

the world commission on dams

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