Heavy toll on affected communities…

1. 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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. The way forward– New framework for decision-making To improve developmentoutcomes, the Commission presents a new framework for decision-making based on recognising rights and assessing risksof all interested parties

6. 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

7. 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

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

9. Internationally accepted norms are basis for WCD recommendations… • UN Declaration of Human Rights • Declaration on the Right to Development • Rio Principles

10. 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

11. 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 Define whose rights & what risks…

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

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

21. Needs assessment Criteria 1 Policy, programme, projects Project Preparation Criteria 3 Project Implementation Criteria 4 Project Operation Criteria 5 Investigative Studies Criteria 2a Selecting Alternatives Criteria 2 Non-Dam Options Five key decision points… Dam Options

22. 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

23. 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

24. 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

25. Improve Development outcomes Using the WCD’s framework will reduce cost, save time and avoid conflicts while achieving more equitable outcomes