The World Commission on Dams

1. 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. The Debate • Needs intensifying – concerns growing • Major investments – significant impacts • Dam projects increasingly questioned • WCD - an unprecedented response to the controversy

4. Needs intensifying … • 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

5. 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

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

7. 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

8. 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

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

10. Independent and Legitimate … • established through agreement • multi-stakeholder selection process of Commissioners • no vested interest - reported to the world • hands on experience with all aspects of dams • 53 financiers - untied & broad based

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

12. Partnerships Stakeholders Writers & Study teams Commissioners World Commission on Dams Forum Financiers

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

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

15. The Process • Knowledge driven review – listening and learning from the past • Multifaceted analysis – integrated assessment • Extensive negotiations within WCD led to agreed recommendations

16. Knowledge driven review … • experiences from 79 countries & 1000 dams • 7 detailed case studies, 3 country studies, 125 cross check dams • 17 thematic reviews, 130 contributing papers • four regional consultations - 1400 people • 950 submissions The World Commission on Dams

17. Multifaceted analysis … • assessed performance against planned targets • analysed social & environmental impacts • assessed alternatives for water & energy services • analysed planning, decision-making & compliance • examined how criteria have changed over time

18. Extensive negotiations within WCD led to agreed recommendations … • linked the dams debate to development discourse • nine Commission meetings – listened & debated, examined & analysed • common problems – specific contexts

19. 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

20. Summary ofWCDfindings… • 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

21. 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

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

23. The Commission’s Criteria & Guidelines… Government Civil Society International Standards International Agreements Multilateral & Bilateral Organisations Private Sector Professional Organisations …in a wider framework

24. Guidelines for good practice… Which include: Environmental flow Stakeholder analysis Performance bonds Greenhouse gas emissions Prior Informed consent Compliance plan Multi-criteria analysis Project benefit-sharing

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

26. Post WCD Developments • Report dissemination and buy in • 3rd Forum Meeting • Interim arrangements • Dams and Development Unit

27. Some Lessons Derived from the Experience • Don’t underestimate the time required for the process to be successful • Participation is not a guarantee for consensus • Independence, multi-stakeholder composition, transparency, inclusiveness and accessibility were crucial factors

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

29. Don’t plan, build, protest, operate, decommission, propose, oppose or discuss a dam without the WCD Report