List of Follow-up Initiatives known to WCD Secretariat
Updated September 2001 This Compilation is only a partial sampling of the depth and range of discussions at the international, national, institutional and local level.
France The Ministry of Environment is conducting an Internal review of WCD proposals and relevance to current policy. COFACE (the French Export Credit Agency) is reviewing its own export finance guidelines with WCD report.
Germany/GTZ/KfW/BMZ Ministry of Development Cooperation
Multi-stakeholder review of WCD proposals and relevance to current policy initiated by Minister for Development Cooperation held on 16/17 Jan 2001 in Berlin attended by 150 representatives. The Minister and Deputy Minister chaired the meeting. NGO/Industry working group established to advise Minister on review of German Aid Guidelines and policy dialogue with EU/OECD/World Bank.
India
Between May and August, various institutions within India have hosted more than seven multistakeholder meetings: in Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Shillong, Khedi Madhya Pradesh, Pune, Maharashtra and Ranchi Jharkhand.
For example, the Delhi meeting was organised by the Institute of Economic Growth, and was attended by former Commissioners Medha Patkar, Jan Veltrop, Laxmi Jain, and Secretariat staff Larry Haas and S. Parasuman. The Hyderabad, Shillong, Khedi and Ranchi meetings were organised by local institutions / organisations / networks with assistance from SANDRP.
Japan/JBIC
Japan conducted a review of WCD report as part of OECD environmental guidelines reform.
Lesotho
The Lesotho Transformation Resource Centre organised a two-day multistakeholder workshop of NGOs, government, hydrologists, LHDA and affected peoples to work toward implementation of the WCD Report, in Maseru on 14-15 May. A multi-stakeholder follow-up meeting is planned, to be organised by the Government.
Nepal
National meetings arranged to review report and form a subject of discussion at a regional meeting on Integrated Water Resources Management, organised by Nepal Water Partnership to be held in Kathmandu in November 2001.
Norway/ NORAD
WCD Briefing meeting held on 30 November 2000. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including both domestic policy and overseas development officers, co-ordinated formal consideration of the report among relevant government agencies, as well as its recommendations. That report, released in June, is available on the WCD web site.
Pakistan
Presentation of WCD Report in Islamabad, on 18 November 2000. Ministry of Environment is considering follow up meetings at provincial and federal levels.
Panama
Multistakeholder meeting organised by Fundación Natura and the Panama National Committee of IUCN on 23 May 2001. A wide range of stakeholders gathered for a presentation of the WCD Report and initial discussions on how to begin working with the report. The need for a debate on the national energy sector/policy/plan and for the water sector, particularly with regard to the Panana Canal was noted by the stakeholders. The CICH (an inter-institutional commission created to coordinate the management of the water resources of the Canal watershed) joined Fundación Natura and the Panama National Committee of IUCN in volunteering to assist in gathering a representative group to steer the development of a work plan and specific follow-up initiatives to further disseminate and begin the 'Panamanización' of the WCD Report, and consider appropriate implementation mechanisms.
Poland
On 6 July 2001, in Warsaw, a partnership of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), the Global Water Partnership (GWP), academics, and civil engineers, in co-operation with the people, businesses and government of Poland, launched the ‘Overview’ Report of the World Commission on Dams (WCD) – in their own language. According to officials, the Polish version of the Report makes the findings and recommendations of the WCD available and useful to a wider constituency of more than 2,000 individuals planning to use the Report to turn dam controversies of the past into development consensus for the future.
Philippines
A one day workshop on the recommendations of the World Commission of Dams was hosted by the Asian Development Bank and held in Manila on 30 August 2001, a report is available on the ADB website.
South Africa
Briefing meeting held with Minister of Water Affairs in January 2001. The Minister and Department of Water Affairs and Forestry made a presentation at the WCD Forum, in February 2001. DWAF conducted pilot exercise on proposed Skuifraam dam project with WCD guidelines. The delegates to the July 23-24 Symposium adopted a resolution that "declares itself to be broadlysupportive of the strategic priorities outlined in the WCD report, but believes that the guidelines need to be contextualised in the South African situation". The full resolution can be found here.
The Symposium, initiated by Minister Kasrils, showed a major departure from previous meetings. Following the model set by the Commission, it moved away from the exclusive domain of the professionals to include alternative views of environmental concern groups and the affected people themselves. The organising committee comprised the South African Committee on Large Dams, DWAF, IUCN Pretoria and the Environmental Monitoring Group. It captured both pro-and anti-dam perspectives and brought dam builders and affected people together in the same room in a climate of mutual respect.
GLOBE Southern Africa Parliamentary Services hosted a WCD presentation in Cape Town on 20 March 2001. Briefing of 40 members of South Africa’s water and environmental affairs committees, who sought more feedback from its Ministers on how it could be used.
The Steering Committee of the South African Initaitive on the WCD report launched at the 23/24 July meeting held its first meeting on 15 October 2001. A brief progress report can be found here.The second meeting was held on 14 November 2001.
Spain
On July 13, WCD launched the Spanish language WCD Report in Madrid with CEDEX – Centro de estudios hidrograficos, Madrid, and the International Water Resources Association (Spanish chapter). WCD provided hard copies of the Final Report to the 55 participants, and hundreds of Spanish CD ROMS.
The Director General of CEDEX, Snr Manuel L. Martin Anton welcomed the WCD report as a constructive contribution to the debate over water resources.
Ana Barreira of the IWRA explained that the meeting was taking place as a result of the initiative of IWRA in writing to the Ministry following publication of the WCD report.
Questions focussed on the WCD report and the follow-up anticipated in Europe and internationally, especially the World Bank and other donor reaction.
Sri Lanka
Presentation of WCD Report in Colombo, on 21 November 2000.
Sweden /SIDA
Sida's view is that the conclusions drawn in the WCD report are largely in line with their existing regulations and guidelines, and indicated that the WCD's report will constitute important reference material prior to deliberations and collective assessments on support to dam projects in the future. The WCD report will also form part of the basis for the forthcoming review of Sida’s guidelines on environmental impact assessments. Sida intends to give financial support to disseminate the Report among their cooperation partners. Sida intends to continue to support the development of laws, regulations, institutions etc. in partner countries so that dam projects can be discussed in a democratically, socio-economically and environmentally acceptable and transparent fashion. (For their full response see www.dams.org)
Switzerland
SDC hosted multistakeholder briefing and WCD report on 17th January.
UK / Department for International Development (DFID)
DFID co-sponsored a British Dams Society meeting held in London, on 1 February 2001, at which the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Chris Mullins, gave an address welcoming the report.
The UK Government has established a cross-departmental group to review the WCD report and develop a co-ordinated and consistent UK approach. This will include consideration of the implications for the Export Credit Guarantee Department and dams in the UK. DFID have indicated that it will consider providing support to governments in developing countries wanting to implement elements of the WCD report.
US-EXIM Bank
Revision of environmental guidelines of US EXIM Bank expected to incorporate recommendations from OECD Working Group. The draft revision includes reference to the WCD recommendations.
Multi-lateral Development Banks
African Development Bank Letter from AfDB sent to WCD in January 2001 indicated active support for implementation of report. AfDB plans to incorporate the criteria and guidelines during the development of Bank`s technical guidelines to support their recently completed policy on Integrated Water Resources Management. AfDB will soon embark upon revision of Bank`s Environmental Policy, which will give a stronger emphasis on social issues typically relevant for large infrastructure projects. The Policy will also incorporate the recent international trends addressing issues related to Resettlement and Involuntary Displacements such as those typically associated with large dam projects.
The overall conclusion of a Bank seminar held on 17 July 2001 was that the AfDB will not place a moratorium on large dams. The meeting felt that Africa needs dams but they need to be developed in economically viable and environmentally and socially sound manner. It was explained that at minimum, Bank's new policy on Environment (under revision), new policy on Involuntary Resettlement, and also new Integrated Water Resources Development Guidelines, will provide appropriate opportunities to bring in the WCD's risk and rights approach and also the 7 Strategic Principles. The Guidelines will be used more like reference and "best practice" report on a case-by-case basis.
Asian Development Bank
The president of ADB wrote to the WCD in December 2000 welcoming the report.
Regional workshop in Manila 19/20 February 2001 with participants from 14 Governments and NGO representatives. ADB will re-examine its own procedures, including its environment and social development policies, and determine the extent to which the Report's recommendations may necessitate changes in these procedures. ADB is planning to hold a series of national level consultations, the first of which was held in the Philippines.
ADB Philippines in-country workshop A one day workshop on the recommendations of the World Commission of Dams was held in Manila on 30 August 2001, a report is available on the ADB website.
Inter-American Development Bank.
WCD presented Report on 14 May 2001. Internal Task Force established to review recommendations and implication for policies and procedures.
World Bank
Presented to Board on 14 January 2001.
Consultation mission in January 2001 to 7 key member countries by Bank Staff to get feedback on report.
Presentation of member country responses to World Bank Committee on Development Effectiveness on 15 February 2001. Response prepared by WB on 31 March, which outlines general approach to working with the Report.
IUCN
Design of projects to support implementation on the ground (Global, Mesoamerica, Mekong Region)
Task Force established in response to request from IUCN General Assembly to monitor WCD report implementation.
The World Conservation Union approved a Strategy for policy change and local action that will promote and implement the recommendations of the World Commission on Dams (WCD) for sustainable water resources and energy development. The statement and strategy can be read online here.
OECD DAC Environmental Development Committee
WCD presented Report in Paris, on 9 March 2001. Many bilateral agencies indicated review in process.
Incorporated a review of WCD recommendations as part of programme to harmonise environmental guidelines. References made to WCD guidelines in communique of G8 in Trieste.
OECD Export Credit Agency Working Party
Report presented at OECD workshop on 14 December 2000. ECA’s are reviewing the report.
UNEP
UNEP Financial services initiative held on 17 November 2000 in Bonn – briefing by WCD at meeting, to be followed by discussion of meeting on 23 October in Paris.
Briefing by WCD on 5-6 April 2001, in Nairobi.
UNEP hosted a two-day meeting in Manila to explore how the finance sector in Asia-Pacific can promote sustainable development. The report was presented by former Commissioner Judy Henderson.
UNEP to host 2 year follow-up Dams and Development Unit to disseminate report.
Regional Groups
European Parliament
Henrich Böll Foundation hosted meeting for European Parliament in Brussels on 19 December 2000 to introduce and discuss WCD report.
Mekong River Commission
MRC Secretariat and IUCN considering follow-up programme for Thailand/Vietnam/Laos and Cambodia. MRCS organising translation of Part II sections of report into four languages. A regional workshop was hosted by MRCS in Phnom Penh on 28/29 June 2001.
Greater Mekong Sub-region Power Interconnection and Trade Group
WCD presentation at GMSR Group workshop in Vientiane 5-6 Dec 2000, organised by the Asian Development Bank.
Mesoamerica
IUCN organised regional meeting for Central American Countries in Costa Rica, March 2001, to discuss reaction and follow-up.
SADC
SADC consideration of the Report at the 10th Water Resource Technical Committee Sector Meeting on 8 May 2001, Swaziland. The meeting brought together about 30 high level government water resources experts from various countries of Southern Africa.
International Conventions
Convention on Biological Diversity
Report of the Sixth meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technology advice. The Hague 8 –19 April 2002.
WCD briefed meeting of SBSTTA in Montreal, Canada – 12-16 March 2001. Meeting resolution requires that the Conference of the Parties take note of the recommendations contained in the report of the WCD in regard to the implementation of the programme of work on biological diversity of inland water ecosystems.
Ramsar Convention
Briefing note to scientific and technical committee and recommendations for COP 8, 2002. Ramsar Secretariat to follow up.
Balfour Beatty
Balfour Beatty has welcomed the report produced by the WCD and declared its support to establish a framework for promoting appropriate practice in the development and execution of hydro-electric schemes. Balfour Beatty has also committed itself to taking the WCD principles, criteria and guidelines into account in determining whether and how it should be involved in any future hydro-electric projects. However, shareholder meeting on 2 May 2001 rejected a motion from Friends of the Earth, which would require the Company to adopt and be bound by the 26 guidelines set out in the WCD Report.
The Hydro Equipment Association
The Hydro Equipment Association (HEA) – consisting of Voith Siemens, Alstom and VA Tech Hydro – has been formed to represent the hydro equipment industry in the follow-up dialogue and actions with other stakeholders resulting from the WCD Report. It will assist in the review and development of standards and guidelines relating to the hydropower industry. The HEA plans to contact the principal WCD stakeholders to inform them of the Association’s objectives, discuss the status of follow-up activities to the WCD report and explain the role of the Association as a partner in energy strategy development.
Skanska
Skanska intends to apply the WCD guidelines for major hydropower projects. Although most of Skanska’s companies already work with a certified environmental management system in accordance with ISO 14001, by January 2002 all operations will be certified. See http://www.dams.org/report/reaction/reaction_skanska.htm
Sustainable Asset Management (SAM) Sustainability Group/ Dow Jones
SAM Sustainability Group in Zurich has a joint venture with Dow Jones Indexes to undertake research on top companies for the Dow Jones Sustainability Index. They have formulated a questionnaire for companies involved in the dam-building industry that refers to WCD recommendations
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