Simon Howard Sustainability Specialist, IHA 30 May 2012
International Hydropower Association Mission: to advance sustainable hydropower Non profit organisation founded in 1995 under the auspices of UNESCO Central office: London, UK National office: China Regional office: Brazil 6/8/2012 2
Work programme Sustainability Communications Water Policy Energy Policy Climate Change Markets & Investments 6/8/2012 3
Hydropower Sustainability Assessment Protocol A framework for assessing the sustainability of hydropower projects Distils hydropower sustainability into over 20 clearly defined topics Consistent, globally applicable methodology Governed by a multi stakeholder Council and terms and conditions Recognised by leading organisations as a valuable tool to measure and improve the sustainability of hydropower projects (WWF, The Nature Conservancy, Transparency International) 6/8/2012 4
Evolution 2000 World Commission on Dams 2003 IHA Sustainability Guidelines 2006 Initial Protocol 2008 10 Multi stakeholder Forum 2011 Official launch 6/8/2012 5
Hydropower Sustainability Assessment Forum (2008-2010) 6/8/2012 6
Support Citi Group Society General World Bank The Nature Conservancy Transparency International WWF 6/8/2012 7
Protocol Scope Protocol topics INTEGRATIVE PERSPECTIVE Demonstrated need & strategic fit Communications & consultation Governance Integrated project management Environmental & social issues management ENVIRONMENTAL PERSPECTIVE Environmental impact assessment Downstream flows Erosion & sedimentation Water quality Biodiversity & invasive species Waste, noise & air quality SOCIAL PERSPECTIVE Social impact assessment Project affected communities & livelihoods Resettlement Indigenous peoples Cultural heritage Public health Labour & working conditions TECHNICAL PERSPECTIVE Siting & design Hydrological resource Reservoir planning, filling and management Infrastructure safety Asset reliability & efficiency ECONOMIC & FINANCIAL PERSPECTIVE Economic viability Financial viability Project benefits Procurement COMMON Assessment Management Stakeholder engagement Scoring criteria CRITERIA Stakeholder support Conformance and compliance 6/8/2012 8 Outcomes Cross cutting issues CROSS CUTTING Human rights Climate change Transboundary issues CONSIDERATIONS, Transparency Gender Integrated water resource management
Protocol documents Background document: Four methodology documents for four stages of development: Early stage Preparation Implementation Operation 6/8/2012 9
Sustainability profile: an example presentation of results P 1: Consultation & Communications P 23: Downstream Flow Regimes P 2: Governance 5 P 22: Reservoir Planning P 3: Demonstrated Need & Strategic Fit P 21: Water Quality 4 P 4: Siting & Design P 20: Erosion & Sedimentation P 19: Biodiversity & Invasive Species 3 2 P 5: Environmental & Social Impact Assessment & Management P 6: Integrated Project Management P 18: Public Health 1 P 7: Hydrological Resource P 17: Cultural Heritage P 8: Infrastructure Safety P 16: Labour & Working Conditions P 9: Financial Viability P 15: Indigenous Peoples P 10: Project Benefits P 14: Resettlement P 13: Project Affected Communities & Livelihoods P 11: Economic Viability P 12: Procurement 6/8/2012 10
Erosion & Sedimentation in the Protocol Preparation, Implementation and Operation Issues caused by the plant External occurrences which impact project Commitments to address issues 6/8/2012 11
Erosion & Sedimentation - Basic good practice Assessment: Issues Identified, if management measures required then monitoring Management: Measures in place to manage identified erosion and sedimentation issues. Conformance/Compliance: Related commitments have been or are on track to be met. Outcomes: Erosion and sedimentation issues are avoided, minimised and mitigated 6/8/2012 12
Benefits of using the Protocol Identification of practical recommendations to improve sustainability performance Targeting of recommendations on areas of weaker performance Strengthened understanding of sustainability amongst developers and operators Comprehensive risk assessment prior to investment decisions Assurance to government and non government on performance A neutral platform for dialogue between industry and affected parties on specific issues Informs shareholders and provides key information and recommendations Assurance to purchasing utilities A signal to the public of commitment to sustainability Forms part of sustainability reporting Allows presentation of results for portfolios of facilities as part of corporate reporting 6/8/2012 13
Sustainability Partners Partners engage with IHA to commit to applying the Protocol Sustainability Partners receive experience in the use of the Protocol Training + 2 Protocol assessments Ten partners signed up by July 2011 6/8/2012 14
Hydro4Life A 1.2 million, three year project to implement the Protocol in the European Union IHA is co funding 50% Main elements: Application of the Protocol within the EU Development of training materials Presentations at key fora Website Database Communications 6/8/2012 15
Protocol documents: background and four stages Charter, and Terms and Conditions FAQs and news Database of published Protocol assessments 6/8/2012 16
Conclusions Protocol A framework for assessing the sustainability of hydropower projects 20 clearly defined topics Consistent, globally applicable methodology We need hydropower owners, operators and developers to get involved with Hydro4LIFE. More sustainability partners are needed in the EU We need projects to assess and people to train 6/8/2012 17