1. The World Commission on Dams

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 & billion lack electricity
competition for water increasing
aquatic ecosystems are declining & wetlands have been lost

5. 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

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. 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

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

12. World Commission on Dams
Stakeholders
Commissioners
World Commission
on Dams
Partnerships
Forum
Writers
&
Study teams
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, country studies, cross check dams
17 thematic reviews, contributing papers
four regional consultations 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. 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

20. 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

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. 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

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. 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

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