Hydropower associations unite to set Covid-19 recovery pathway
18 May 2020
In an unprecedented joint statement, 16 international and national organisations representing the global hydropower sector today set out guiding principles for energy infrastructure policy in the Covid-19 recovery.
Gaining Indigenous Peoples’ consent for sustainable hydropower
7 May 2020
Good practice guidance seeks Indigenous communities’ free, prior and informed consent for hydropower development
New sustainability guidance will give increased confidence to local communities, industry and investors that hydropower projects can be successfully developed while respecting Indigenous People’s lands, rights and culture.
Achieving Indigenous consent for hydropower in Nepal
7 May 2020
In Nepal, the Tamang Indigenous People gave their free, prior and informed consent to a new 216 megawatt run-of-river project.
The River Trishuli flows down the steep Himalayas and enters Nepal with such force and speed that it was named after the trident of Lord Shiva, the most powerful of Hindu gods. Legend has it he drove his trident into the ground to create the source of the sacred river.
Hydropower assessment tools aligned with World Bank standards
Sustainability assessment tools have been enhanced to better align with ESG requirements set by international financial institutions such as IFC and the World Bank.
Use of the Hydropower Sustainability Tools will mean hydropower developers better understand how their project can achieve the performance standards required by major investment banks for all types of infrastructure projects.
Q&A: Indigenous Peoples, FPIC and hydropower
In May 2020, the Hydropower Sustainability Assessment Council updated the Hydropower Sustainability Tools, which are used by independent assessors to assess a hydropower project’s performance in accordance with internationally recognised good and best practices.
The changes include the addition of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) as a requirement of meeting good practice for hydropower projects that affect Indigenous Peoples.
IHA and IRENA coalition call for renewables-driven recovery
While the Covid-19 pandemic is the world’s most pressing threat with its tragic impacts on families everywhere requiring urgent action, we must not lose sight of climate targets and the sustainable development goals.
Blog: Learning the language of sustainable hydropower
IHA's Sustainability Specialist Alain Kilajian writes about working to promote sustainability in hydropower development.
