The International Hydropower Association (IHA) launches its 2011 Activity Report on key developments and future strategy for the Association, and the wider hydropower sector.

The International Hydropower Association has launched its 2011 Activity Report, providing a detailed review of key developments for the Association and the wider hydropower sector during 2010, whilst also setting out the Association’s strategy for 2011 and beyond.

The Activity Report, an annual publication, explains how the Association has continued to make great strides towards achieving the work programme objectives laid out in its 2009-2011 Strategic Plan, all within a period where the dynamics of climate change, sustainability, investment and the water-energy nexus have remained high on the international policy agenda.

In particular the report shows how IHA has been focussing effort on hydropower’s role in responding to climate change through the UNESCO/IHA Research Project on the Greenhouse Gas Status of Freshwater Reservoirs. A milestone was reached in the project during 2010 with the publication of the GHG Measurement Guidelines for Freshwater Reservoirs. This has defined a standard on how GHG emissions should be measured, to gather sufficient data to address the current knowledge gaps relating to freshwater reservoirs.

The report also confirms that the core focus of the Association’s activities during the period remained the Advancement of Sustainable Hydropower and considerable developments were seen on this front. Following a 30 month review and redrafting of the Association’s Hydropower Sustainability Assessment Protocol, under the guidance of the Hydropower Sustainability Assessment Forum, the revised Protocol was adopted by IHA in November 2010. 

Commenting on the Report and IHA’s achievements during the period, Richard Taylor, IHA Executive Director, said: “Looking back over the year, it is important to acknowledge the organisations that have lent such strong support to IHA’s activities. Such trust in IHA is very much appreciated, and makes us all the more determined to deliver on our common objectives. As we look towards the future, IHA will continue to strive to achieve its mission and ensure that sustainable hydropower’s voice is heard, and fairly represented, on the world stage.”

Click here to download your copy of the IHA 2011 Activity Report (PDF, 2.2MB)