Social and Environmental Standards

Sinohydro’s IPO: An Opportunity for Environmental Reform

Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Originally published in The Asia Water Project When companies list at the stock exchange, they need to define their brand and business strategy, which includes their approach to the environment. In the coming months, Sinohydro, the world's biggest hydropower company, plans to list at the Shanghai stock exchange. Civil society organizations are calling on the company to adopt a world class environmental policy at the time of its Initial Public Offering (IPO). Here is the case for environmental reform. Sinohydro, a state-owned enterprise, is the world's foremost dam builder. The company control

Canada’s Hydro Partnerships No Panacea for First Nations

An Innu community is suing to stop Hydro-Québec from damming the Romaine River
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
From June 2010 World Rivers Review Canada's rivers have been under assault for decades. Rampant dam building since the 1940s has led to environmental destruction, the resettlement of thousands of aboriginal ("First Nation") communities and the devastation of their traditional fishing and hunting grounds. An Innu community is suing to stop Hydro-Québec from damming the Romaine River Alliance Romaine Past negotiations between First Nation communities and dam developers focused on compensation packages rather than on whether these communities wanted the projects built on their lands or not.

Commentary: Yes We Can

Wednesday, June 9, 2010
From June 2010 World Rivers Review When the World Commission on Dams (WCD) issued its groundbreaking report 10 years ago, river-loving people around the world celebrated. We celebrated the findings that corroborated what we had long argued - that while dams may have delivered benefits, these have come with exceedingly high costs, particularly for vulnerable groups and the environment. We honored the millions who lost lands and livelihoods to disastrous dams, and the WCD case studies that bore witness to their struggles. We celebrated the successful conclusion of a grueling but critically

World Rivers Review: Focus on Dam Standards - June 2010

A Higher Standard for Dam Projects Since the World Commission on Dams (WCD) issued its groundbreaking report in 2000, governments, institutions and civil society around the world have taken up the challenge of adapting its recommendations to their local context. This issue on dam standards examines where these efforts have been successful, and where more work needs to be done. As our senior policy analyst, Shannon Lawrence, notes in the commentary, "We know how to do it: the WCD framework provides the road map. What we're lacking are the political will and the long-term vision to make it happe

The Hydropower Sustainability Assessment Protocol

The Hydropower Sustainability Assessment Protocol (HSAP) was prepared in an industry-led process from 2007 to 2010. The Protocol is a voluntary scorecard by which the hydropower industry can assess the social and environmental performance of its projects. NGOs are concerned about its lack of independence, substantive weaknesses, and the exclusion of dam-affected people from its preparation and use.

The World Commission on Dams

Nelson Mandela and Prof. Kader Asmal launch the World Commission on Dams final report in 2000.
The World Commission on Dams (WCD) established the most comprehensive guidelines for dam building. The WCD's final report describes an innovative framework for planning water and energy projects that is intended to protect dam-affected people and the environment, and ensure that the benefits from dams are more equitably distributed. The WCD recommendations form the basis for many decision-making processes for dams around the world and constitute international soft law.

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