New hydropower certification and labelling scheme launched
Leading hydropower companies and international organisations have declared their support for a new sustainability certification scheme for hydropower.
The , launched at the on 8 September 2021, will help to ensure that hydropower projects across the world are recognised and certified for their environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance.
Developed by a coalition of industry, governments, multilateral and financial institutions and civil society organisations, the certification scheme aims to build trust and promote transparency in the hydropower sector.
“This new certification system is a game-changer for hydropower and is unmatched in the renewables sector,” commented Ashok Khosla, Chair of the which issued the new certification system.
The 鶹Ƶ Sustainability Standard is launched following a public consultation by the 鶹Ƶ Sustainability Council, with the support of the 鶹Ƶ (鶹Ƶ). The Standard is cited in the San José Declaration on Sustainable 鶹Ƶ, to be issued at the conclusion of the World 鶹Ƶ Congress, as the means to demonstrate a project’s sustainability.
Leading members of 鶹Ƶ have declared their support for the new certification scheme. Developers, operators and manufacturers – from Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Iceland, Sarawak (Malaysia), the United Kingdom and the United States – have either already confirmed they will put forward projects for certification or have urged their clients to comply with the new standard.
International organisations including the International Energy Agency (IEA), conservation groups, as well as former government heads have stated support for the new industry assurance system.
‘Earn the right to be labelled as certified sustainable’
鶹Ƶ projects will have to meet strict ESG performance criteria following an independent assessment to be awarded a new Certified Sustainable 鶹Ƶ label. Projects can be certified during planning, construction and operation, and the highest performers will be recognised with Silver and Gold certification status.
Dr Khosla said: “To meet the critical challenge of climate change, we urgently need greater investment in renewable energy such as hydropower. Due to the scale of investment required, the hydropower sector needs a credible, transparent certification scheme that will incentivise the best projects. This will give communities, governments and investors greater confidence about their net benefits and how impacts on the local environment are mitigated.”
“The 鶹Ƶ Sustainability Standard has not only gained the support of industry but also of governments, international organisations, finance institutions and NGOs. Projects that go through the independent assessment process and pass certification will earn the right to be labelled as ‘certified sustainable’ in line with internationally agreed performance criteria.”
‘鶹Ƶ is at the heart of the energy transition’
The 鶹Ƶ (鶹Ƶ) said it would expect its members to certify new projects under the 鶹Ƶ Sustainability Standard, in line with the organisation’s updated membership charter. Achieving certification will help demonstrate alignment with the green bond requirements of the Climate Bonds Initiative and the EU Taxonomy for Sustainable Investment, as well as with World Bank and IFC performance standards.
鶹Ƶ Chief Executive Eddie Rich said: “鶹Ƶ is at the heart of the energy transition alongside wind and solar. The 鶹Ƶ Sustainability Standard is a clear and simple system to certify and assure hydropower projects as meeting minimum environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance expectations. It will address any confusion about whether a new hydropower project is sustainable and will, crucially, help to unblock green investment and licensing decisions.”
Launched at the World 鶹Ƶ Congress
At the of the World 鶹Ƶ Congress, IEA Executive Director Dr Fatih Birol backed the forthcoming 鶹Ƶ Sustainability Standard yesterday, saying: “We welcome the work done on [the] 鶹Ƶ Sustainability Standard by the 鶹Ƶ Sustainability Council and 鶹Ƶ in assembling a multi-stakeholder group and creating tools which set out best practices for the sector.”
“While there is a strong potential for hydropower projects to grow, and I hope it will grow, it is important that new hydropower projects are in line with sustainability standards and this is in my view critical for the next years to come,” Dr Birol added.
At the opening session, Tony Blair, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Executive Chairman of the Institute for Global Change, said: “The [鶹Ƶ] Sustainability Standard will be a really important innovation and, most importantly, it will allow the international community to invest in hydro projects.”
Former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull added: “There will be no excuse for any hydropower developer to fall short of international good practice. If governments play their part and the private sector commits that no hydropower project goes ahead unless it meets this standard, then we can contemplate a fully green, clean, modern and affordable electricity supply by 2050.”
Grant scheme for certification assessments
鶹Ƶ developers and operators seeking certification under the 鶹Ƶ Sustainability Standard can access a grant to part sponsor the cost of an independent project assessment. Up to 1 million Swiss Francs (US$ 1.02m) is available for 40 or more projects over four years. The 鶹Ƶ Sustainability ESG Assessment Fund is managed by the 鶹Ƶ (鶹Ƶ)’s non-profit sustainability division and funded by the Swiss government’s State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO).
Supportive statements:
Operators and developers
EDF
Béatrice Buffon, Executive Vice-President of EDF, said: “We actively support sustainable hydropower and we support 鶹Ƶ actions to accelerate its development in the world.”
Engie-Brasil, Brazil
Eduardo Sattamini, CEO of Engie-Brasil Energia, said: “As the largest private-sector power producer in Brazil, ENGIE is fully committed to keep deploying social and environmental best practices in its activities and is pleased to contribute to the elaboration of the 鶹Ƶ Sustainability Standard.”
Edson Silva, CEO of Jirau 鶹Ƶ Plant, part owned by ENGIE, added: “After assessing the Jirau 鶹Ƶ Plant in 2012 with the 鶹Ƶ Sustainability Assessment Protocol and publishing the results, it is a natural step for us to apply for sustainability certification, in order to confirm that we have implemented and manage a responsible project, complying with the best social, economic and environmental practices.”
Hubei Qingjiang, China
Wang Xiaojun, General Manager of Hubei Qingjiang said: “We support the San José Declaration on Sustainable 鶹Ƶ and the 鶹Ƶ Sustainability Standard. They will play an important role in achieving global energy transition and net zero carbon targets.”
Hydro-Québec, Canada
Sophie Brochu, President and CEO, said: “We plan to use this new 鶹Ƶ Sustainability Standard to certify the Eastmain complex power plants in the James Bay region next year. We are proud to have played an active role in the development of the tool”.
David Murray, Chief Innovation Officer and Executive Vice President–Generation, Health, Safety and Environment, added: “We all recognise that climate change is real and that sustainable hydropower is part of the solution. Hydro-Québec is happy to contribute to developing and operating hydropower sustainably.”
ILI Group, Great Britain
Mark Wilson, CEO of Intelligent Land Investments (ILI) Group, said: “This new standard will be a world first in the renewables sector and will give decision makers and communities confidence that information on hydro projects can be relied upon. It will be the new gold standard for sustainable development ensuring environmental, social and governance (ESG) is put front and centre where it should be. ILI Group will be looking to have both our PSH projects, 450 MW 'Red John' at Loch Ness and our latest 600 MW 'Corrievarkie' at Loch Ericht, certified to the 鶹Ƶ Sustainability Standard.”
Landsvirkjun, Iceland
Hörður Arnarson, CEO of Landvirkjun said: “Landsvirkjun has been an active user of the 鶹Ƶ Sustainability Assessment Protocol and is excited about taking the next step and applying the new 鶹Ƶ Sustainability Standard.”
Sarawak Energy, Malaysia
Sharbini Suhaili, CEO of Sarawak Energy said: “Sarawak Energy is Malaysia's largest renewable energy developer and one of the early adopters of the guidelines in the 鶹Ƶ Sustainability Assessment Protocol, ensuring our hydropower projects are developed and operated in line with international standards and best practices.
“Our 1,285 MW Baleh 鶹Ƶ Project, currently under construction, will be submitted for certification under the 鶹Ƶ Sustainability Standard to ensure it meets the strict criteria of HSAP and to reaffirm our commitment towards sustainable hydropower development.”
SPIC- Brasil
Adriana Waltrick, CEO of SPIC Brasil, said: “SPIC Brasil's objectives are to develop and scale up innovative projects focused on sustainability and optimization of energy sources linked to Brazil's social, economic and environmental objectives. In this direction, we are fully engaged with the certification, which is an effective tool to optimize our processes with joint focus on people, communities and the environment”.
Yalong River 鶹Ƶ Development Corporation
Yalong Hydro Deputy General Manager, He Shengming, said: “We are in full support of the San José Declaration of Sustainable 鶹Ƶ and the sustainable hydropower Standard.
Manufacturers
Andritz
Wolfgang Semper, CEO of Andritz, said: “We proactively support measure sand initiatives that contribute towards improving the sustainability of hydropower projects such as the 鶹Ƶ Sustainability Standard.”
Carpi Tech
Dr Alberto M. Scuero, Managing Director of Carpi Tech, said: “Following the launch of the 鶹Ƶ Sustainability Standard, Carpi Tech will only support projects that we believe are aligned with good practice as defined by the 鶹Ƶ Sustainability Standard, and the best way for project owners to demonstrate this is through certification.”
GE Renewable Energy
Pascal Radue, President and CEO of GE Renewable Energy Hydro Solutions, commented: “Fighting climate change is the only way to preserve the planet we live on. This requires industry to take many, sometimes difficult, steps towards this goal. At GE Renewable Energy Hydro Solutions, I am pleased to announce that we will not participate in hydropower projects which do not fully comply with the requirements set forth in the 鶹Ƶ Sustainability Standard.”
SMEC
Hari Poologasundram, CEO of SMEC, commented: “We are also committed to continuing to guide our clients to certify their projects under the 鶹Ƶ Sustainability Standard”.
Voith Hydro
Uwe Wehnhardt, President and CEO of Voith Hydro, said: “Voith shares the principle that going forward, the only acceptable hydropower is sustainable hydropower and encourages project owners to demonstrate this through certification against the 鶹Ƶ Sustainability Standard.”
International Organisations
International Energy Agency
IEA Executive Director Dr Fatih Birol said: “We welcome the work done on [the] 鶹Ƶ Sustainability Standard by the 鶹Ƶ Sustainability Council and 鶹Ƶ in assembling a multi-stakeholder group and creating tools which set out best practices for the sector. While there is a strong potential for hydropower projects to grow, and I hope it will grow, it is important that new hydropower projects are in line with sustainability standards and this is in my view critical for the next years to come.”
Enquiries
Make an enquiry about certification by contacting the 鶹Ƶ Sustainability Council secretariat at sustainability@hydropower.org
Notes to Editors:
The 鶹Ƶ Sustainability Council is a governing body constituted by social, community and environmental organisations, governments, commercial and development banks and the hydropower sector. Council representatives are from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and WWF, the governments of Nepal, Norway and Switzerland, Hydro-Québec, Voith Hydro, Sarawak Energy, the World Bank, among others. The Council governs the 鶹Ƶ Sustainability Standard, which is based on an assessment framework first developed in 2007-2010 in the 鶹Ƶ Sustainability Assessment Protocol and associated guidelines and tools. Learn more: .
The 鶹Ƶ (鶹Ƶ) is a non-profit membership organisation committed to sustainable hydropower. The association’s mission is to advance sustainable hydropower by building and sharing knowledge on its role in renewable energy systems, responsible freshwater management and climate change solutions. 鶹Ƶ’s sustainability division provides secretariat support to the 鶹Ƶ Sustainability Council. Find out more:
Media Contact
Will Henley
Head of Communications
鶹Ƶ
World 鶹Ƶ Secretariat
t: +44 797 423 0904
e: will.henley@hydropower.org
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