18 December 1998
Governments, NGOs and private sector pledge over $5 million to the WCD

"The early funding pledges from a diverse range of interests have been very encouraging. However, given our tight deadlines the Commission must raise the remaining funds as a matter of urgency", says Professor Asmal, Chairman of the Commission.

The World Commission on Dams has been in existence since May 1998. Its objectives are to undertake a global review of the development effectiveness of large dams and to develop internationally acceptable criteria and guidelines for future decision–making on dams.

In its short period of existence the Commission has managed to to move closer to the targets it set for itself and also raise a substantial amount of its budget.

Polar-opposite players in the dams debate have pledged millions of dollars necessary for this co-operative venture which none of them, individually, can control. Yet, in just five months the Commission has received firm pledges covering 55 per cent of the $9.8 million necessary for it to carry out its multifaceted mandate.

"That’s an unusually quick response from donors who often take far longer to make funding decisions," said WCD Secretary-General Achim Steiner. Most importantly, the money has come from a wide cross-section of actors in the debate, thus ensuring the Commission’s independence. Whether the WCD will be able to fulfil its complex, global mandate by the June 2000 deadline will depend on pledges from the rest of the diverse community involved in the dams issue.

The funds pledged thus far come from NGOs, the private sector, governments of countries both South and North, and multilateral agencies. The size of each contribution is in keeping with the old adage, "From each according to its means", and range from $800,000 from the World Bank, which co-founded the WCD along with the IUCN, to $2,000 from the US National Wildlife Federation. A number of governments led by Norway with US$800,000 have so far committed a total of $3.5 million. They include China, Japan, Germany, South Africa, United Kingdom, Denmark, Switzerland and Sweden.

Corporate donations so far total $893,000, led by $200,000 from engineering giant ABB as well as Hydro Quebec a major utility with US$170,000. Substantial commitments have been received from Siemens, Skanska, Atlas Copco and Enron as well as consultancy firms such as Harza Engineering, which assisted the WCD with its corporate fundraising efforts.

Commitments have also been made from the non-governmental sector. Thus far, the U.S.-based MOTT Foundation, the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF) and the US National Wildlife Federation have pledged a total of $37,000.

Regardless of the size of each donation, the commission’s make-up remains carefully balanced between the various interests involved in the dams question. "The WCD is a unique endeavor encompassing the various parties to a very polarized debate," said Commission Chairman Professor Asmal. "Their willingness to commit funds with ‘no strings attached’ has been central to the notion of a multi-stakeholder process. We hope others will feel encouraged to follow suit". The World Commission on Dams aims to raise the remaining US$4,0 million by mid 1999.