Report

The ADB’s Operations Evaluation Department (OED) commissioned the Nam Leuk Project Performance Audit Report (PPAR) to assess the Nam Leuk Hydropower Project’s development impact "to identify follow–up actions and lessons for future ADB operations." These excerpts from the report were compiled by IRN.

The International Hydropower Association released a four–page document entitled "Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Reservoirs" at the UN climate convention negotiations in Milan in December 2003. The IHA concludes that hydropower contributes very little to climate change when compared to fossil fuel generating options. The IHA’s assertions are variously irrelevant, incomplete or simply wrong. Although much more research is needed for a complete understanding of this issue, on current evidence the climate impact of reservoir–based hydropower schemes in the tropics is frequently worse than fo

Villagers living downstream of Nam Leuk Dam continue to suffer loss of fisheries and water quality problems as a result of the Asian Development Bank–funded Nam Leuk Dam in Laos. This report documents the findings of a Laotian researcher who traveled to villages affected by Nam Leuk in May 2004 and found that villagers are suffering from problems with food security, health and education. Compensation to mitigate impacts to villagers' livelihoods has been sporadic and inadequate. Some people have received no assistance at all, despite experiencing significant impacts directly attributable to

Abstract The International Hydropower Association (IHA) asserts that hydropower has a very low, or even positive impact on climate change because reservoirs (i.e., artificial lakes) sequester large amounts of carbon. The important question is whether reservoirs are important sinks for anthropogenic carbon. IHA uses an estimate indicating that reservoirs sequester 2.5% of global CO2 emissions. For several reasons this estimate gives a misleading indication of the climate impact of reservoirs. In some cases reservoirs will only be temporary sinks for carbon due to measures to mitigate reservoir

Eradicating poverty and reducing global warming are two of the biggest challenges facing the world in the 21st century. The urgent need to address these challenges has led to many initiatives to promote renewable energies. While the aim of these efforts should be strongly supported, they could be counterproductive if – as the large hydro industry is advocating – they are turned into instruments to promote hydropower megaprojects.

Briefing for the European Parliament.Prepared by International Rivers, Greenpeace and CDMWatchThe proposed directive1 linking the EU emissions trading scheme with the flexible mechanisms of the Kyoto Protocol is contrary to the fundamental principle that climate change mitigation policy must be founded on domestic action.The details of the directive create many additional risks. In particular, the following problems are created by the absence of any restrictions for hydroelectric projects developed under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and Joint Implementation (JI):• Investment in pote

On November 22, 2002, an unprecedented protest took place in Laos. Some 40 ethnic Hmong men from Ban Phou Khao Khouay marched to the site of the Nam Mang 3 Hydropower Project armed with sticks and guns and demanded to speak with project officials. The villagers were infuriated that they might be evicted from their lands for the project and yet had received no information about where they would be relocated, when they would be moved, or what compensation they would receive. They threatened the contractors, telling them "to pack up and go home" if they failed to answer their questions about rese

This eyewitness report published by International Rivers Network documents resettlement and human rights problems at the Three Gorges Dam, published in January 2003.

Between the Republic of the Philippines National Power Corporation and a consortium constituting the San Roque Power Corporation concerning the construction and operation of the San Roque Multipurpose Project Table of ContentsExecutive SummaryI. IntroductionII. OverviewIII. Is private sector project development proof of the San Roque dam’s economic viability?IV. Will the project be a low cost provider of electricity?V. What is the assignment of risks and responsibilities between the developer and the Philippine government?VI. What are the agreement’s implications for social and environment