IEAHydropower

Annex XII - Hydropower and the Environment
New Annex – 2009

Task 1

Managing the Carbon Balance in Freshwater Reservoirs

The IEA Hydropower Implementing Agreement on Hydropower Programmes and Technologies (IEA Hydro) announces the start of a new Annex on “Managing the Carbon Balance in Freshwater Reservoirs”.
 
The objectives of the comprehensive work program are to:

  • increase knowledge of the processes
  • establish guidelines for planning studies on the carbon balance in reservoirs
  • standardize GHG flux evaluation methods.

The Annex will be managed by Brazil, with CEPEL as Project Manager and the work undertaken by CEPEL in partnership with several universities and research institutions. Other IEA Hydro members, Japan, Norway, and Finland will contribute case histories and experiences in their own countries to this Annex.
 
CEPEL will develop a detailed program of work and a kickoff Annex meeting to confirm the work plan will take place in August 2009 at CEPEL’s offices in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. A panel discussion will cover the Annex work program in depth at HYDRO 2009, in Lyon, France. 
 
IEA Hydro invites interested parties to contribute to this program of work, starting with participation in the Annex meetings and panel discussion. For more information, please contact the IEA Hydro Secretary at ieahydro [at] iprimus.com.au

Task 2

Update of Annex III Recommendations

In 2009 the five main Recommendations of Annex III will be reviewed, revised and updated to reflect the present situation for Hydropower.

Annex III (Environmental and Social Aspects of Hydropower) identified five areas were which posed the most significant challenges to the hydropower sector. Recommendations were made for each of the five areas for use by government decision makers, regulators and other project approval agencies, financial institutions and government aid agencies

The study laid the foundation for subsequent work which is contributing to the global effort of making hydropower development more sustainable.

  • IEA Hydropower's Annex VIII “Hydropower Good Practices: Environmental Mitigation and Benefits” (NEF, 2006)
  • The International Hydropower Association (IHA)’s Sustainability Guidelines (IHA 2004), written primarily for hydropower developers and owners

For more information on this work please contact the IEA Hydro Secretary at
ieahydro [at] iprimus.com.au


The IEA Hydropower Agreement is keen to promote its work programmes within participating countries and to encourage further interest in its work from non-participating countries. All OECD countries are eligible to participate fully. In addition, the IEA Governing Board has decided that the Implementing Agreements may also be open to non-member countries. If you are interested in finding out more about IEA Hydropower, please contact the ExCo Secretary.