27 Nov
2012
27 Nov
'12
1:40 p.m.
http://www.internationalrivers.org/resources/the-new-great-walls-a-guide-to…
-----Original Message-----
From: peter(a)internationalrivers.org [mailto:peter@internationalrivers.org]
Sent: 26 November 2012 17:03
To: damstandards(a)lists.democracyinaction.org
Subject: New NGO Guide on Chinese Dams Around the World
International Rivers report announcement:
New NGO Guide on Chinese Dams Around the World
Chinese dam builders have come to dominate the world market. Civil society groups have
documented serious social and environmental impacts with numerous Chinese dams in Africa,
Asia and Latin America. A new guide published by International Rivers explains how NGOs
can influence Chinese dam builders and advocate for social and environmental interests.
In the past 10 years, Chinese companies and financiers have rapidly rolled up the global
dam building market. Chinese companies and financiers are involved in more than 300
overseas dam projects, and Sinohydro, a Chinese state-owned enterprise, has become the
world's biggest hydropower company. Although they have become global actors, Chinese
dam builders don't always follow international social and environmental standards.
Chinese projects have provoked opposition in countries such as Burma, Cambodia, Ethiopia,
Honduras, Malaysia and Sudan.
In recent years, civil society groups have found ways to engage with and influence the
projects and policies of Chinese dam builders. After protests by local communities and
NGOs, Chinese companies and financiers had to suspend projects in Burma and Gabon, and
withdrew from operations in Cambodia. Sinohydro is engaged in a dialogue with Chinese and
international NGOs, and has prepared an environmental policy that puts it at the forefront
of the international hydropower industry. Chinese government agencies have also issued
guidelines for foreign investors to protect the environment and respect local communities
in their host countries.
A new guide published by International Rivers presents the lessons of past experience and
informs interested NGOs how they can best influence the projects and policies of Chinese
dam builders and advocate for social and environmental interests. The report provides an
overview of the relevant actors, laws and standards in the Chinese dam building sector,
including Sinohydro's new environmental policy. It presents case studies of how NGOs
have influenced Chinese overseas projects, and concludes with a list of addresses and
other useful information.
Entitled "The New Great Walls," the 60-page report is available at
www.internationalrivers.org/node/3962. Translations into Chinese and Spanish are planned
for early 2013. Please contact Katy Yan at International Rivers
(katy(a)internationalrivers.org) if you would like to organize a civil society training with
the new guide, or suggest translations into other languages.
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