R eport of the W orld C ommis s ion on D ams

1. Report of the World Commission on Dams www.dams.org

2. 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

3. Dam projects increasingly questioned … • affected populations strongly oppose dams • proponents point to urgent development demands • opponents point to adverse impacts • uprisings against globalization • little space for constructive dialogue

5. Purposes of large dams • Hydropower • Irrigation • Water supply • Flood control • Multipurpose

6. Types of large dams • Reservoir-type storage • impound water behind the dam for seasonal,annual and, in some cases, multi-annual storage and regulation of the river. • Run-of-river dams • weirs and barrages, and diversion dams create a hydraulic head in the river to divert some portion of the river flows to a canal or power station.

8. Hydropower • By 1925, falling water generated 40% of electric power. Today, large dams (15 m +) generate 19% of electricity. • Hydro production capacity has grown 15 x. • Fossil fuel use has risen so rapidly that currently, hydroelectric only supplies one-quarter of electrical generation. • One-third of world’s countries rely on hydropower for • more than half their electricity supply.

9. Irrigation: The Aral Sea • Once the 4th largest inland body of water in the world A series of dams was built to irrigate cotton. • Aral Sea reduced to about 25% of its 1960 volume, quadrupled the salinity of the lake and wiped out the fishery. Pollutants became airborne as dust, causing significant local health problems. • The environmental damage caused has been estimated at $1.25 -$2.5 billion a year.

10. Water supplies • freshwater withdrawals doubled in 50 years • 1 billion lack freshwater & 2 billion lack electricity • competition for water increasing • aquatic ecosystems are declining & wetlands have been lost

11. Major investments … Number Of Dams 6 000 4 000 • 45,000 large dams worldwide • 2 dams commissioned per day in1970s • total investment exceeds $2 trillion • $40 billion expenditure per year at peak • estimated 40 – 80 million people displaced • flow in 60% of world’s rivers affected 2 000 0 1900 1990s

16. Dam Drawbacks to Human Communities Human Displacement Flooding of Cultural Sites (Archeological and Modern) Social disruption Cost overruns Socio-economic centralization

17. Dam Drawbacks to the Environment Ecosystem Destruction Fish Blockage and Wildlife Losses Large-Scale Flooding Due to Dam Failures Sedimentation and Salinity Herbicide and Other Toxic Contamination Evaporative Losses Nutrient Flow Retardation Release of greenhouse gasses

18. Dam Alternatives Low-Head Hydropower - Extract energy from small headwater dams. Run-of-River Flow - Submerged directly in stream and usually do not require dam or diversion structure. Micro-Hydro Generators - Small versions designed to supply power to single homes.

19. WCD Findings • Dams have made a significant contribution • A considerable number have fallen below targets • Economic and financial under-performance • Significant impacts on riverine &downstream ecosystems • Heavy toll on affected communities • Alternatives often exist • Lack of compliance

20. Significant contribution… • 19 percent of electricity from hydropower–more than 50% in 63 countries • dams support 30-40% of irrigated area & 12-16% of global food production • 12% of all dams have a water supply function • 75 countries have dams for flood control Dams and Development - Report of the World Commission on Dams

21. Considerable number have fallen below targets… • irrigation – almost half have under-performed …opportunities for efficiency gains • hydropower – on average met expectations but considerable variability • flood control – dams have attenuated floods, but some increased vulnerability • physical sustainability – safety improving,but dams are aging and costs rising …loss of storage, 0.5 to 1.0% per year Kariba Predicted vs actual generation TWh 10 Predicted 6 Actual 0 1960 2000

22. Economic & financial under-performance… • average cost overruns of over 50% • 50% in survey with one year or more delay • cost recovery in hydropower but not irrigation • poor economic and financial results from irrigation • mixed results for hydropower

23. Significant impacts on riverine & downstream ecosystems… • loss of riverine & terrestrial biodiversity • adverse impacts on livelihoods in floodplains • 67% of ecosystem changes in survey are negative • poor record of ecosystem mitigation • some reservoirs have created habitats for biodiversity • reservoirs emit green-house gases

24. 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 addressedin ‘balance sheet’ approach

25. Alternatives often exist… • reduce demand by increasingend-use efficiency • defer new supply by enhancing supply & conveyance efficiency • extend life and performance through improved land & watermanagement • promote alternative supply options, including small-scale & locally appropriate approaches Dams and Development - Report of the World Commission on Dams

26. 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

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

28. 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 guidelines • address global problems through local understanding • WCD’s authority and credibility rests on the diversity of the Commissioners which was a guiding theme throughout its inclusive, transparent and participatory work program.

29. Lakshmi Chand Jain Kader Asmal Who was the Commission ? Donald Blackmore Joji Cariño Deborah Moore José Goldemberg Judy Henderson Jan Veltrop Thayer Scudder Medha Patkar Göran Lindahl Achim Steiner

30. Inclusive, Participatory & Transparent … • full range of perspectives – civil society to governments, private sector to NGOs, financiers to foundations • outreach through work program and networks • extensive review process • WCD Forum as a reference point • draft studies on website www.dams.org

31. 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

32. 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

33. Towards shared values, objectives & goals… • equity • efficiency • participatory decision-making • sustainability • Accountability

34. 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

35. Seven Strategic priorities Turning Conflict Into Consensus • Gain public acceptance • Assess options • Address existing dams • Sustain rivers and livelihoods • Recognize entitlements and share benefits • Ensure compliance • Share rivers across boundaries

36. Gaining public acceptance… • dams affect existing rights & createwide 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

37. Comprehensive options assessment… • failure to adequately define needs & assess options led to dispute • an early and open examination of optionscan avoid poor projects • raise the significance of social & environmental aspects • increase the effectiveness of existingsystems as a priority Dams and Development - Report of the World Commission on Dams

38. 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 licenses to formalize operating agreements

39. 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

40. Recognize 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

41. Ensure compliance … • many policies and guidelines exist.. • but often a failure to fulfill obligations • need a compliance plan covering all commitments to people and the environment • introduce initiatives to reduce corruption • develop incentive framework for compliance

42. Share rivers across boundaries… • conflicts over transboundary rivers dueto 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

43. Dams in the pipeline - it’s not too late Feasibility - assess all options - gain public acceptance Design - prepare Compliance Plan - contractualize benefit sharing - determine environmental flow Construction - formalize commitments Dams and Development - Report of the World Commission on Dams

44. Improved outcomes for nation, affected people & the environment… Development opportunities for all by.. • respecting human rights • meeting development needs for water, food & energy • sustainable resource use

45. The WCD has … • conducted first comprehensive review of performance • focused on options and compliance • shown that conflict is not inevitable • promoted a rights, risks approach to negotiate outcomes • shown that common ground can be reached

46. Don’t plan, build, protest, operate, decommission, propose, oppose or discuss a dam without it

47. Readings for discussion (pro and con): INDIA (Narmada Valley) CHINA (Three Gorges) SLOVAKIA (Gabcikovo)