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Constructing dams: not necessarily a good thing?

What are the real economic, environmental and social costs of dams? Do the benefits of irrigation, electricity, flood control and water supply outweigh the damage they do to livelihoods, ecosystems and fisheries? How can the diverse groups of stakeholders affected by dams work together to identify risks and assess alternatives to dams?

A report by the World Commission on Dams (WCD), the result of the first globally comprehensive review of the performance of dams and their contribution to development, suggests ways to address infrastructure development that are more compatible with social equity and environmental sustainability. Finding evidence that decisions about dams have not taken sufficient account of social, environmental, governance and compliance issues, it urges interested parties to find common ground, redress grievances and work to ensure that new dams are affordable, fair and sustainable.

Many of the 45 000 large dams in the world have been over budget, were not completed to schedule and have failed to provide promised quantities of irrigation water and electricity. While people have benefited from the services dams provide, it is often a different set of communities that have paid the price. Most of the 40 million to 80 million people displaced by dams have received minimal compensation or assistance to rebuild communities and livelihoods.

Other key findings include:

Between 30-40 per cent of all irrigated agriculture depends on dams.
In a third of the countries of the world, hydropower provides over 50 per cent of electricity.
Hydropower is not as ‘green’ as it seems: although hydropower generation does not lead to emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) – which fossil fuels tend to generate – varying amounts of GHGs are produced from reservoirs due to decaying vegetation.
The storage and diversion of water on transboundary rivers often creates tension between neighbours. The needs and views of neighbouring states are often ignored.

Stressing the need to listen and to negotiate, the report has specific recommendations for key stakeholders in the ongoing debate on dams, based on core values and strategic priorities. These include:

Gaining public acceptance: public acceptance of key decisions is essential for equitable and sustainable water and energy resources development.
Comprehensive options assessment: alternatives to dams do exist. The appropriate development response is identified from a range of possible options with consideration given to all benefits and impacts.
Addressing existing dams: opportunities exist to make the most of benefits and to reduce the impact from many existing dams.
Sustaining rivers and livelihoods: recognising the value of ecosystems at river basin level is essential to foster equitable human development and the welfare of all species.
Recognising entitlements and sharing benefits: negotiations with all stakeholders should result in provisions that recognise entitlements and improve livelihoods and the quality of life of affected communities.
Ensuring compliance: effective national legislation should ensure that commitments for the planning, implementation and operation of dams are met.
Sharing rivers for peace, development and security: constructive co-operation between and within countries is required to ensure integrated water resource management.

Source(s):
‘Dams and development: a new framework for decision-making’, summary of final report of the World Commission on Dams, issue paper no 108, International Institute for Environment and Development, 2001 Full document.
‘Dams and Development: A new framework for decision-making’, by the World Commission on Dams, Earthscan Publications, 2000 Full document.

id21 Research Highlight: 30 May 2003

Further Information:
UNEP – Dams and Development Project
P O Box 30552
Nairobi
Kenya

Tel: +254 2 62 3942
Fax: +254 2 62 3545
Contact the contributor: ddpinfo@unep.org

UNEP Dams and Development Project

International Institute for Environment and Development
3 Endsleigh Street
London WC1H ODD
UK

Tel: +44 (0)20 7388 2117
Fax: +44 (0)20 7388 2826
Contact the contributor: drylands@iied.org

International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), UK

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