Time to Dam Right!

Dams are amongst the most destructive developments affecting freshwater ecosystems, threatening wildlife and people. Large dams also have displaced between 40 to 80 million people globally. There are already 45,000 large dams (more than 15 metres in height) and ICOLD has called for a doubling of this number. Such a dam-building bonanza would have disastrous socio-economic and environmental consequences.

In Canada, large dams have impacted significant portions of many watersheds. WWF-Canada’s recently released study, The Nature Audit (which measured Canada’s efforts to conserve biodiversity), found that dams that are having significant consequences for biodiversity in some parts of Canada. Two of the largest dams are in Quebec (La Grande Rivière and La Rivière Manicouagan).

In November 2000, the independent World Commission on Dams (WCD) released a report suggesting that many dams have caused unacceptable and often unnecessary social and environmental costs. The WCD made recommendations for a new approach to decision-making on dams, stressing in particular the need to gain public acceptance and carrying out comprehensive needs and options assessments. ICOLD, which represents the majority of governments and companies involved in dam planning and construction, has so far refused to endorse the findings of the WCD, instead denouncing the WCD report as unbalanced, even though one of the WCD Commissioners, Dr. Jan Weltrop, is ICOLD’s honorary president.

“Dams have caused widespread environmental damage. By demonstrating how to build better dams in the right locations, the WCD has shown a way forward,” said Dr. Ute Collier, WWF’s Dams Initiative Leader. “It is high time that ICOLD takes action to change its practices in line with the WCD’s recommendations”

One of the key themes discussed at the ICOLD congress is the financing of hydropower dams. WWF warned ICOLD members that many financial institutions, in particular commercial banks, are becoming increasingly cautious about financing potentially controversial dam projects. WWF believes that if dam projects followed the WCD guidelines, this would not only reduce environmental and social costs, but also lower the financial and reputational risks for potential lenders. WWF is thus advising financial institutions to screen dam projects according to WCD guidelines which should ensure that projects have won public acceptance and are viable.

“Unless dam proponents change their ways and follow the WCD principles, they will find it increasingly difficult to find finance for their projects,” said Dr. Collier.