Number of questions: [7]
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Posted on 29/01/2007 16:59:31 |
I had an oppourtunity to work on a project concentrating on dam effect in drinking water reservoirs in a protected watershed. I took a paleoecological approach and compared results with another lake with different watershed land use. From the results I conclude that for drinking water purposes damming is good if the watershed is protected. In comparison the lake water quality was poor in unprotected watershed with recreational land use compared to the protected watershed drinking water reservoir.
What I am trying to explain is that building dam for drinking water purposes is not always a bad thing, if we compare with other anthropogenic perturbations.
Any thoughts on this issue, Mr. Alberto Calcagno? Also wondering whether the UNEP have demonstrated such kind reports!
Thanks in advance,
Biplob Das
Saskatchewan Environment, Canada
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Biplob Das
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Dear Mr. Biplob Das
As pointed out in my responses to former queries I do not think that dams are intrinsically good or bad. Their viability is fully dependant on local conditions and a decision to build a dam should result from assessing all options on a level playing field. Having said that, I agree that drinking- water reservoirs have a strong impact in the management of their catchment. This usually is not foreseen at the planning stage. Ensuring appropriate water quality conditions in the reservoir involves sound catchment management, meaning a stringent control of point and diffuse pollution sources upstream, including erosion and sediment control. Land use restrictions and zoning might become necessary measures. The costs of implementing such control measures should be internalised in the dam project economics, which is seldom done.
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Posted on 29/01/2007 15:30:51 |
I remain Comrade Daniel A. Edoho, a Nigerian by Birth. I will first of all like commend on your efforts and contributions towards ensuring global environmental sustainability and equity. My questions will be based on your field of Co-ordination under the UNEP. I want to ask:
1. On the issue of Dams; In Nigeria we depend on the Hydro Electric Power supply from the Kainji Dam but yet still mostly there are fluctuation and break down in power supply. Electric Power supply is very essential to the well being of Human beings and the general human community, now what can we do to check mate this problem in my country?
2. Sustainable development is not a one day course I know, I want to know how a developed country can curb the issue of Poverty alleviation especially in a situation where inflation and lack of proper employment is the talk of the day?
3. As a Manager can you please enlightened me on your experiences especially in the creation and Management of finances for capital Projects?
4. How can you relate Politics and Management?
Thank you.
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Daniel Edoho
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I appreciate your questions that are quite challenging and broad in scope.
1. Overcoming the constraints of shortage of power supply is a critical challenge that governments in most developing countries are currently facing. How to approach it is dependent on local conditions and certainly I am not in a position of giving an opinion concerning any particular country. However I understand that two major challenges to be addressed are, on the one hand, assessing the best portfolio of energy options available to the country that will respond better to the identified needs; and, on the other hand, implementing and operating efficiently each of the measures pertaining to the selected portfolio. This calls for establishing strong coordinated planning capacities at national and sub-national level complemented by sound assessment, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation capacities. In all instances there is a need to take into account environmental and social issues on a similar standing that economic and financial, thus ensuring that decisions are taken in a context of sustainable development. And most important, decisions should be supported by meaningful informed and participatory processes, so as to ensure that the views, expectations and aspirations of the people are taken into consideration. I believe that in this way inherent and unavoidable risks and uncertainties will be managed in close relationship with the stakeholders and public acceptance of key decisions will be improved, financial risks will be reduced and investments will become more attractive. Achieving all this is an enormous task, that necessarily calls for a strong political will, a solid policy, legislative and regulatory framework, and the strengthening of capacities and resources to establish the enabling environment that will allow doing things right. Though it is a long term and ambitious task it needs to be started now and persistently pursued despite political changes. In such an ideal context, environmental flows, for example, would become an necessary and enforceable component of environmental impact assessments and management plans and dam options will thus internalise from the start the downstream consequences of flow fluctuations.
2. Though I would be extremely happy to be able respond to your second question I think that I am not in a position of providing a practical answer to it. I understand that there are not global recipes to address poverty alleviation in a context of inflation and unemployment though there are examples of situations of the kind elsewhere that can provide with experiences and most important, lessons learnt. To any extent I believe that whichever approach might be adopted it should be implemented in a context of a sustainable development that accounts for its three fundamental pillars – economic efficiency, environmental sustainability and social equity. No approach that prioritises one at the expense of the other will achieve success in the long run.
3. My involvement in capital projects has been mostly within the context of integrated water resources management and environmental sustainability. Thus my role has been contributing to improving or securing their viability rather than creating and managing their finances. I am convinced that strong environmental sustainability and social acceptance are key factors in providing an enabling investment environment to capital projects.
4. Quite a challenging question that admits many readings. Let me offer you two that come first to my mind. From an operational point of view I understand that both involve efficient management of resources to achieve a goal. People and funding are probably the most important resources they deal with. From a substantive point of view I would say politics should pursue the establishing of an enabling long-term environment for improved and efficient management of state business.
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Posted on 29/01/2007 12:23:52 |
Question 1. Is UNEP in favour (or NOT) of a moratorium on dams. In what ways can dams affect the environment?
Question 2. Isn't it difficult to argue about a moratorium on dams in some developing country where they could be factors of development?
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Salif Diop
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Dams can impact the environment in a number of ways and there is a vast literature around it. This occurs mainly through impounding water upstream, which changes the flow of water from river type (lotic) to a lake type (lentic); modifying the water flow regime at daily, seasonal and even pluri-annual level and establishing a barrier that disrupts the flow of matter, biomass and energy along the river system. The creation of a reservoir, depending on the size and shape might have impact in the heat balance, the dynamics and the quality of the water body. Ecosystems within the impounded area and downstream can be affected and the associated livelihoods as well. Referring to your question about the dam moratorium, the role of dams depends strongly on local conditions and therefore a generalised approach, in favour or against dams, will not be appropriate. Dams are seen as necessary development factors in many developing countries and therefore in my view they cannot be excluded from an assessment of options as one of the alternatives. It will be the technical, environmental, social, economic and financial merits that will determine in the end by comparison if a dam or some other alternative that provides equally to the identified needs should be developed. In this regard the decision making process through which such merits are assessed and decided upon is crucial to the sustainability of the outcome. Thus the focus should be in the process, rather than in the outcome, ensuring that the environmental and social aspects are duly taken into account in the context of a sustainable development approach. In order to achieve this it is fundamental that the views, perspectives and aspirations of all stakeholders and in particular the local community are taken into account and that affected people becomes the first among beneficiaries as put forward by the World Commission on Dams. Comprehensive assessment of options and stakeholder involvement are considered today key aspects of such decision making process. Precisely they are some of the issues currently addressed by a publication being completed and next to be published by the UNEP Dams and Development Project (DDP). Please note that hosting the DDP was the response of UNEP as a follow up of the WCD, at a time that the diverging reactions to the WCD report, some of them recommending such moratorium, polarised the dam debate
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Posted on 29/01/2007 06:11:27 |
Hola Sr Alberto:
Veo que su especialidad se refiere al diseño de proyectos en cuencas hidrográficas. Yo soy profesor de secundaria y junto a un grupo de estudiantes hemos realizado en nuestra comunidad una serie de acciones a favor del río Cojímar, que es pequeño. Quisiera saber cómo influye en un río los vertimientos de industrias jaboneras, qué afectaciones a los mismos provoca?. Por otra parte si posee información sobre proyectos educativos tomando como referencia a los ríos se lo agradecería mucho que me los enviáse.
Atentamente
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Handy Acosta
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Estimado Sr. Acosta:
En general se considera que la manufactura de jabones y detergentes constituye una fuente menor de contaminación por la naturaleza biodegradable y no tóxica de los productos de desecho. Sin embargo puede haber algunas excepciones dependiendo del producto final y del proceso industrial involucrado. Su influencia sobre el río que Ud. menciona dependerá de la cantidad y calidad de los líquidos vertidos en relación con caudal del río y la capacidad de autodepuración de ese curso de agua. Por tanto, se requiere mas información sobre las condiciones particulares de la industria y el río para dar una opinión mas precisa sobre esa influencia. En términos generales, la cantidad y calidad del efluente industrial dependerá del proceso y de la existencia o no de una planta de tratamiento de líquidos residuales. La capacidad de autodepuración del río y por tanto la extensión de zona de influencia de la descarga contaminante, depende las características del escurrimiento (velocidad, profundidad, temperatura, etc.). Cuando como en este caso los productos de desecho estarían constituidos fundamentalmente por materia orgánica biodegradable (grasas y aceites usados en la manufactura del jabón), el efecto principal en el río sería una reducción del tenor de oxígeno disuelto aguas abajo de la zona de vertido. Si ese nivel disminuye por debajo de los 4 mg/l la vida acuática se verá seriamente afectada. La reducción máxima ocurre a una cierta distancia aguas abajo a partir de la cual el río recupera gradualmente las condiciones naturales. Es importante que Ud. se informe sobre la existencia y contenido de las normas (nacionales, municipales) que rigen en su localidad para los vertidos contaminantes y, eventualmente, las normas de calidad de agua que puedan aplicarse al río Cojímar Con mucho gusto le enviaré referencias sobre proyectos educativos asociadas a cuerpos de agua, sea lagos o ríos.
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Posted on 29/01/2007 04:28:52 |
Hello.
I'm an undergraduated student and and studying chemical engineering. Currently, I am looking for the way after graduation. I was waiting an order of your session, because it looks like you have similar backgound of mine. I read your work experience as an engineer, and project manager. I wonder how those experiences affect your current occupation. Saying more specifically, which part was more helpful for working as an program coordinator.
Thank you.
* following parts are individual question. you can delete it if it is unappropriate.
(I applied for international volutary service at Kenya, Nirobi on this year, from march to june. While I am on a service, I would like to visit UNEP Headquarter office and get some personal orientation advise. Is there any individual visiting program that I can apply for? Or Can you introduce me anyone I can talk about this? )
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Seungje Yoo
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Dear Seungje Yoo. Within the context of your question I would say that whatever the initial field of engineering expertise that you start your professional activity with, it is important to progressively widen the scope of interest to encompass all stages of project development from planning to implementation and monitoring and to incorporate a good grasp of project implications in environmental and social terms. While your specific field will help you capturing more easily many of the environmental elements of projects, social aspects are usually more difficult to grasp and dealt with properly by engineers. Ability to deal with inter and trans-disciplinary approaches in project management will help you move towards a successful project management career.
Regarding your visit to UNEP Headquarters in Nairobi, during your voluntary service in Kenya, I would suggest that you contact in advance the Training Unit of the United Nations Office in Nairobi (UNON). Further information can be obtained in www.unon.org
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Posted on 28/01/2007 20:01:55 |
Dear Senor Calcagno:
I am currently looking at a number of hydroelectric and wind energy sites, worldwide, for the use in the production of clean hydrogen energy, that is, liquefied hydrogen and oxygen gas used to power clean energy projects, such as power plants, steel mills, jet airplanes, cars, trucks, motorcycles, powerboats, that type of thing. There are two problems: long-term financing for this type of project, and local and environmental concerns. For instance, we would like to do some wind projects down in the Falklands (Malvinas) and Antarctica; the political problems are immense, and because they are there, very few bankers will take a look at this type of project. The same holds true for our currrent hydro project sites, in places like northern and western Brazil, Colombia, Peru, in central Africa, and in Indonesia; the political problems make long-term bond and loan financing for these projects almost unobtainable, because all the costs would be in the first ten years, and all of the profits in the next 100 or so. I am sure you are very familiar with these economics.
I have been looking at some of the financiers listed in your BASE database on the SEI site; are you aware of any of these that would ever look at a clean energy installation such as these? This is not a typical biomass or tree planting project; this is one that will really impact our world, and you can check out our new web site at http:northriverenergy.net, which I just put up this month.
I would really like to know if you have an answer to these problems; just today I am working on a potential wind project up in Labrador, and up there we have native American rights, fishing rights, competition from a fake offshore oil business, plus a hostile government in Toronto and in St. John's, the local capital; I have the largest bank in Canada on my side, here, RBC, and I doubt they would dare finance this project, under the circumstances. This is the little problem with sustainable energy projects today, I am afrad.
Anyway, I would be interested to know how you dealt with these issues down in Argentina; I have been reading about the recent World Court decision dealing with Uruguay's pulp mill builders, down there...we are not building pulp mills, needless so say, but, saying that and getting people to understand it are two entirely different issues, I am afraid.
Thank you for your time and attention, buena suerte con su trabajo, hasta la vista, James Carrow
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James Carrow
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As you point out the large upfront investments required by the large infrastructure such as dams together with their environmental and social impacts pose serious challenges to developers and financiers. And certainly there is not, to my knowledge, a straightforward solution or response other than a careful assessment of needs, options and sound planning taking into account technical, economic, social, environmental and financial issues in order to achieve solutions that are less risky, more sustainable and enjoy acceptance of the public. As you are aware dams are the centre of debate about sustainable development and my response to a former question by Elizabeth also provides you some information. In my experience a main condition for these projects to become bankable is that environmental and social issues are dealt with from the early planning stages, particularly at the time the dam option is adopted after assessing other alternatives, and obviously there on, as the detailed planning, design and further development and management stages of the project are carried forward. As environmental and social risks are better assessed and addressed, public acceptance will increase, financial risk will be lower and the project attractiveness to financiers will grow. These issues, in addition to technical and economic ones, would also benefit from a river basin integrated approach and a multipurpose approach. Multipurpose dams offer wider possibilities of addressing local needs and providing a sound response to integrated water resources management than those focused solely on a single purpose, such as energy generation and with an specific business approach as it seem to be the case your are referring to. In Argentina, like in many other developing countries, environmental and social issues associated with development undertakings are high in the consideration of the people, particularly local communities, and therefore governments are challenged to find improved ways of incorporating properly their expectations and perspectives in the decision making process. This is precisely within the objectives of the UNEP Dams and Development project that you can access in www.unep.org/dams
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Posted on 28/01/2007 12:41:39 |
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There has been much debate over the negative environmental (and human!) impacts of dams, from the Aswan Dam and Lake Nasser in Egypt to the more recent Three Gorges Dam in China. Is there a place for dams in sustainable development?
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Elizabeth
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This is a very good question that not only involves dams but large water and other infrastructure in general. Since concerns about the negative environmental and social impacts of dams spread worldwide from the 70’s, the debate about dams escalated resulting in the reluctance of funding agencies to involve in large dam business. The Final Report of the World Commission on Dams (WCD), launched in November 2000 after over two years of intensive work, proposed a new framework for decision-making on dams and their alternatives. The report highlighted performance failures of some existing dams, the existence of alternatives to them and proposed a set of core values, strategic priorities, policy principles and guidelines to improve the decision-making around dams. The WCD did not preclude dams as a development option but emphasised the need for a comprehensive options assessment and involving stakeholders, particularly negatively affected people in the process of taking decisions that might lead or not to a dam. The reactions to the WCD policy principles and guidelines lead to some extent to further polarisation of the dam debate. The UNEP Dams and Development Project (DDP) incepted in November 2001 as a follow up of the WCD further promoted national and global dialogue on dams and development, building on the WCD core values and strategic priorities that, contrary to the policy principles and guidelines fate, got a wide acceptance from all stakeholders. Currently the project is finalising the publication of a compilation of relevant practices dealing with a number of very important emerging environmental and social issues that will inform the implementation of the strategic priorities and provide information on what is being done out there putting such issues in practice in developed and developing countries. In the context of the global dialogue facilitated by DDP, the discussion about dams was put in the context of sustainable development and as a consequence it evolved from whether to build a dam to how to build a good dam if such decision is taken on the basis of a comprehensive assessment of needs and all options. This implicitly responds to your question admitting that dams might have a role within sustainable development. And in fact many governments have great expectation that they will contribute to achieving the local and also the internationally agreed development goals they are committed to. Such role depends entirely on local conditions and therefore implies that there cannot be a global wide positive or negative approach to dams. I hope that I have answered your query.
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