The World Commission on Dams www.dams.org

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

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

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

Major investments … 45,000 large dams worldwide Number Of Dams 6 000 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 4 000 2 000 1900 1990s

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dams have delivered considerable benefits 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

Summary of WCD 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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