Other type of commitment (e.g. a “pact”, a “charter”, …)

The Commitment is to achieve Target 2.3.5 of the 6th World Water Forum.  This target is:

By 2015, with the aim to measure and guide sustainability performance in the preparation, implementation and operation of hydropower facilities in at least 20 countries covering the world’s five major regions, utilize a hydropower sustainability assessment tool, developed through a multi-stakeholder process, and covering economic, social and environmental dimensions.

The target is a continuation of one of the six proposed actions of the Ministerial Roundtable on Water and Energy, which called ‘for a widely recognized tool for assessing the sustainability of hydropower as well as multipurpose projects.’

The Hydropower Sustainability Assessment Protocol is a framework to assess the performance of hydropower projects according to a defined set of sustainability topics, encompassing environmental, social, technical, and financial issues. Developed by the International Hydropower Association (IHA) in partnership with a range of government, civil society and private sector stakeholders, ‘the Protocol’ is a product of intensive and transparent dialogue concerning the selection of topics and the definition of good and best practice in each of these topics.

Applying the Protocol will deliver an evidence-based assessment of performance in each topic, with a set of scores providing an indication of performance in relation to basic good practice and proven best practice. Key attributes are: (i) global applicability, ie. it can be used on all types and sizes of hydropower, anywhere in the world; and (ii) consistency, ie. the consistency of its application is carefully governed by a Council.

The Council, consisting of a similar (but larger) range of stakeholders to these involved in its development, upholds the integrity of the Protocol, and no claims can be made about the use or results of an assessment unless it was produced by an independent accredited assessor approved by the Council.

Use of the Protocol will provide a strong incentive to continuously improve sustainability performance because results can be compared between projects and operators/developers, and through time, and can form the basis of dialogue with stakeholders. Operators and developers are able to use the Protocol to identify the areas in which they can make improvements, and by acting to improve performance in these areas, can develop and maintain a position of leadership in sustainability.

To support global Protocol implementation, IHA has developed a flexible programme of training and assessments to be undertaken with ‘Sustainability Partners’. Twelve partners from across the world are currently engaged in the process, including project developers, operators and regulators. Implementation within the EU is being support by the EC funded Hydro4LIFE project which will fund Protocol application, training and promotion across Member States.

The Protocol will have been applied in 20 countries in all five regions of the world by 2015. However, application of the Protocol will continue indefinitely and is not limited to this timeframe.

Protocol Assessment reports are compiled using a specific piece of software developed for the Hydro4LIFE project. The software obliges accredited assessors to directly upload every official Protocol assessment to an online database embedded within the Protocol Website (www.hydrosustainability.org). As such every official Protocol assessment will be captured by IHA which will allow progress regarding the Commitment to be monitored

Application and Training

Hydropower operators/developers and regulators as well as financial insititutions can become Sustainability Partners to engage in a program of training and assessments using the Protocol. More information can be found here:

http://www.hydrosustainability.org/Sustainability-Partners/Become-a-Sustainability-Partner.aspx

Or email: Sustainability@hydropower.org

Governance

The seven chambers of the ‘Hydropower Sustainability Assessment Council’ are currently being populated by organisations and individuals represent one of the following interest groups:

(i) Hydropower consultants, contractors or equipment suppliers;

(ii) Hydropower operators or developers;

(iii) Environment or conservation organisations and individuals;

(iv) Social impacts, project affected communities, and indigenous peoples’ organisations and individuals;

(v) Development, public or commercial banks, financial organisations, and private investors/ investment funds;

(vi) Emerging and developing economy country governments and government agencies;

(vii) Advanced economy country governments and government agencies.

All interested organisations and individuals are invited to participate. For detailed information and Chamber membership application forms for please email: sm@hydropower.org

Cameron

Ironside

International Hydropower Association

United Kingdom