DECISION MAKING BASED ON "RIGHTS AND RISKS' APPROACH

The World Commission on Dams proposes a new approach to decision-making based on recognising the rights of, and assessing the risks to, all stakeholders. This means that all stakeholders whose rights might be affected, and all stakeholders who have risks imposed upon them involuntarily, should be included in decision-making on development. The WCD believes that this approach "offers an effective way to determine who has a legitimate place at the negotiation table and what issues need to be included on the agenda." The WCD developed seven strategic priorities for this new approach to development:

1. Gaining public acceptance  

The WCD says that no dam should be built without the "demonstrable acceptance" of the affected people, and without the free, prior and informed consent of affected indigenous and tribal peoples. This should be achieved through negotiated agreements that are legally binding.

2. Comprehensive options assessment

Before deciding whether to build a dam, there should be a transparent and participatory assessment of needs for water, food and energy. All options for meeting these needs should be considered. First priority should be given to making existing water, irrigation and energy systems more effective and sustainable. Social and

environmental concerns should be given the same weight as technical and economic concerns during the options assessment process and throughout the project planning, construction and operation phases.

3. Addressing existing dams

Opportunities should be taken to rehabilitate and upgrade existing dams to maximise benefits. Reparations, or retroactive compensation, should be made to communities impacted by existing dams. dam operations should be modified to mitigate environmental impacts. All dams should have time-bound licence periods. Relicensing processes should provide opportunities for participatory reviews of project performance and impacts which may lead to changes in project operation, or dam decommissioning.

4. Sustaining rivers and livelihoods

Options assessment and decision-making around river development should try to avoid impacts, followed by the minimisation and mitigation of harm to the river system. Before making a decision to build a dam, good baseline information and scientific knowledge of ecosystems, social and health issues should be gathered and analysed, taking into account the cumulative impacts of dams and other development projects on ecosystems. Dams should release "environmental flows" to help maintain ecosystems and livelihoods.

5. Recognising entitlements and sharing benefits 

Adversely affected people should be the first to benefit from a project. this includes those displaced, those living upstream and downstream of the dam, those living around the reservoir, and those whose lands are impacted by resettlement sites. they should participate in identification, selection, distribution and delivery of benefits. Negotiations with affected people should result in mutually agreed and legally enforceable mitigation and development provisions.

6. Ensuring compliance

Financial institutions and project promoters must adopt a clear set of criteria and guidelines for developing water and energy resources. Before a project begins, a plan for complying with all project-related obligations must be developed including both incentives and sanctions. Steps should be taken to end corrupt practices.

7. Sharing rivers for peace, development and security

Measures should be developed for countries to resolve disputes and cooperate over issues concerning transboundary rivers. States should have the ability to stop projects on shared rivers using independent panels and other forms of dispute resolution. WCD principles should be incorporate into national water policies to help resolve disputes and promote cooperation over shared river basins.

 

Source: CITIZENS' GUIDE TO THE WORLD COMMISSIONS ON DAMS