Background

This target is a continuation of one of the six proposed actions of the Ministerial Roundtable on Water and Energy, co-chaired by the by France and Turkey and facilitated by Norway, which specified the “Call for a widely recognized tool for assessing the sustainability of hydropower as well as multipurpose projects.”

Over the last decade, the International Hydropower Association (IHA) has worked with partners from industry, civil society and representatives of governments from developed and developing countries to develop a widely recognised assessment tool for sustainable hydropower. The Hydropower Sustainability Assessment Protocol was launched in June 2011 and will be presented at the World Water Forum 2012. It will be part of the next phase of the Protocol to apply it in all world regions and to work with ‘Sustainability Partners’ in its implantation and in the training of assessors.

The Hydropower Sustainability Assessment Protocol

The Hydropower Sustainability Assessment Protocol is an enhanced sustainability assessment tool which is being used to measure and guide performance in the hydropower sector. The Protocol assesses the four main stages of hydropower development: Early Stage, Preparation, Implementation and Operation. Assessments rely on objective evidence to create a sustainability profile against some 20 topics depending on the relevant stage, and covering all aspects of sustainability.

Protocol assessments provide a globally-applicable methodology to evaluate the sustainability of a hydropower project. Assessments may be unofficial, to inform dialogue or policy, or official, to, for example, support applications for finance. Official assessments involve the use of an independent, accredited assessor, trained in Protocol application and techniques. A Protocol assessment comprises analysis of documentary, verbal and visual evidence, and requires an on-site visit to evaluate topics under a variety of sustainability perspectives (including environmental, social, economic and technical).

Evidence is collected to support an analysis against specific criteria in the Protocol, and resulting in a series of scores against relevant sustainability topics. The scores range from 1-5, with 5 recognised as proven best practice. Assessments capture an in-depth and critical examination of a project and provide an objective, evidence-based judgement of a project’s sustainability.

The Protocol is governed by a multi-stakeholder Governance Council, voted by representative chambers including developing country governments, and environmental NGOs. The current chair of the Governance Council is Dr Joerg Hartmann, WWF International. It is supported by a management entity, residing within IHA, which is responsible for the day-to-day implementation of the Protocol.

To support Protocol implementation, IHA has developed a flexible programme to engage ‘Sustainability Partners’ to trial the Hydropower Sustainability Assessment Protocol at a hydropower project within their sphere of influence. IHA is looking for Sustainability Partners who are leaders in the field of sustainable hydropower, which can include project developers, operators, regulators, or any other organisation which has a hydropower project within their sphere of influence. Sustainability Partners receive a package of services, including options such as training/capacity building, an unofficial Protocol assessment, an official Protocol assessment, and promotion as a Sustainability Partner, over the course of a three year engagement.

Hydropower Sustainability at the 6th World Water Forum and beyond

As part of the 6th World Water Forum Target 5, the Hydropower Sustainability Assessment Protocol will be presented by some of the key organisations that were involved in its development over the past decade. Furthermore the current work programme will be presented and it will be shown where Sustainability Partners have committed to implement the Protocol. In the three years following the 6th World Water Forum, it is intended that through IHA’s Sustainability Partner programme, the Protocol will be applied in at least 20 countries in 5 world regions. Other participants in this target will be: Water Integrity Network; WWF; OXFAM; The Nature Conservancy; Equator Banks Financial Institutions; The World Bank; Governments of China, Germany, Iceland, Norway, Zambia; Environmental regulators; Water agencies; Water boards; Indigenous communities; ICOLD; ARH Norte; Water Integrity Network; Water Forum of America; EEAgency; Gret; and FAO.