Third WCD Forum Meeting
25-27 February 2001 - Cape Town, South Africa

Intermediate Technology Development Group
Steve Fisher

ITDG is an international non-governmental organisation which demonstrates and advocates the sustainable use of technology to reduce poverty in developing countries. ITDG has a substantial energy programme in three continents of the developing world, and through consultancy it spreads its work to many other countries.

The aim of ITDG's programmes is to increase the energy options available to poor people, particularly rural communities unserved by the grid, through approaches to developing and financing decentralised energy schemes. The programme includes, among other options, small scale hydro projects, wind turbines for community benefit, the commercialisation of solar lanterns and farm-level biogas plants. ITDG is also involved in practical work on water resources for development, particularly through long-established programmes on the management of irrigation in Peru.

ITDG has been a participant in the process of the World Commission on Dams since Gland in 1997. Our principal concern is that the concept of 'best practice' should specifically include an examination of all the available options at an early stage of the project cycle, before a new dam scheme is agreed.

We have argued that this examination should include:

• A rigorous appraisal of the full range of energy options, based on criteria of developmental effectiveness
• Priority being given to meeting the needs of populations whose energy needs are not currently met, with decentralised power production being considered as a viable option
• A new emphasis on participatory planning - enabling concerned communities to be involved in identifying the favoured energy options

ITDG welcomes the report of the World Commission on Dams as a positive step towards improving performance in the field of water resource development. In particular, the emphasis on comprehensive options assessment and in promoting a broad approach to integrating social, environmental and economic dimensions of project planning are valuable contributions.

Our concern now is that the proper processes are put in place to ensure that the key recommendations are supported into the future. In doing so, we focus on practical proposals in two areas:-

1) Making options assessment effective
The report of the WCD recommends that appropriate development responses to needs are identified from a range of possible options. A weakness in current practice is that decision-makers and planners do not have full information on the characteristics of each option. Equally importantly, other stakeholders including residents and communities often do not have the necessary information to permit a practical discussion of the pros and cons of competing proposals.
Drawing on our experience in both energy and water resource management, we believe that it is vital that all options are considered fairly in the planning process, especially where the livelihoods of marginalised people are at stake. This includes those people who do not have access to grid electricity and could be better served by non-grid options. It also implies prioritising and supporting the development of local technical capacity for the production, supply and sustainable management of energy.

We believe that plans for the period following the Commission should strengthen the availability of resources and advice on economic, environmental and social factors to be considered in assessing options. This should include smaller-scale approaches and other technologies.

In essence, there is a gap for a knowledge base covering alternatives to dams as well as the means of using them effectively. Closing this gap will require attention to providing examples of real data and proven practice on the viability of a range options and making sure that this information is available early in the planning process for new developments.

2) Managing conflict
As all members of the Forum know only too well, discussions around the development of individual schemes often descend into acrimonious struggle.

A neglected area within the objective of achieving better outcomes relates to conflict management. For approaches to gain public acceptance, mediation between parties who may have strikingly different perspectives is vital. This is a key element of achieving participation between parties who may have different levels of power in a process.

Putting this into practice will involve establishing a register of individuals or organisations who would be able to contribute to conflict management in this field. It would also benefit from some attention to techniques and models. There are innovative ways in which the impacts of a new project and the decisions leading to it can be played out in a simulated or model form, enabling the perspectives of a range of stakeholders to be taken into account early in the planning process.

Follow-up and implementation activities
As the only UK-based organisation which has been a member of the Forum, ITDG has sought to act as a source of information on the work of the Commission and its final report. We have received requests to speak at particular events and contribute articles on the subject, which we have fulfilled.

ITDG's networks in the private sector, among international donors and through its own supporters and other NGOs are extensive. With our focus on small-scale technologies, we have been asked to comment on the relevance of the report of the Commission on the small hydro industry and have done so constructively. Through our own energy and water programmes and consultancy support to clients, we will advocate for the adoption of the Commission's framework for decision-making.

In supporting the outcomes of the WCD process, we will continue to work for practical testing, acceptance and implementation of the Commission's proposals. ITDG would be willing to participate in any initiatives to support or to monitor the adoption of the proposals presented by the Commission in its report.