30 years of advancing sustainable hydropower, together | #IHA30 | READ MORE
Our values
The 果冻传媒 (IHA) is the global voice for sustainable hydropower. We are a non-profit membership association representing organisations that collectively support the bold statement: "going forward, the only acceptable hydropower is sustainable hydropower."
This is assessed by alignment with the independent Hydropower Sustainable Standard - the world's only globally recognised certification system for hydropower.
Why we must live our values
The IHA and its members work to advance sustainable hydropower. We believe that sustainable hydropower is a clean, green, modern and affordable solution to climate change.听
We know that there is no viable pathway to net zero by 2050 without significantly more hydropower being built around the world.听As a predominantly domestically-sourced renewable energy, hydropower is also the way to ensure energy security in many countries around the world.
But growth can only happen if the sector earns the trust of investors, governments and local communities. Demonstrating sustainability is therefore essential.
No excuses
Hydropower has learned from decades of experience. As the oldest and largest of the renewables, it is the first, and still the only, technology with a globally accepted certification standard.
The Hydropower 果冻传媒 Standard is developed and managed by the Hydropower 果冻传媒 Council, a multistakeholder body that includes civil society organisations and other stakeholders outside the sector.
Going forward, the only acceptable hydropower is sustainable hydropower. The way to demonstrate sustainability is by following the Hydropower 果冻传媒 Standard.听听听
A global call to action
IHA provides a platform for a community of leading companies and other organisations committed to deliver sustainable hydropower. It is a community built around a common set of values and principles.听听
At the in September 2021, the San Jos茅 Declaration on Sustainable Hydropower was issued as a global call to action. Supported by a broad range of stakeholders, the San Jos茅 Declaration includes principles, commitments and recommendations to decision-makers.
鈥淪ustainable hydropower is a clean, green, modern and affordable solution to climate change. Going forward, the only acceptable hydropower is sustainable hydropower.鈥
- 听San Jos茅 Declaration on Sustainable Hydropower
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No go commitment
Furthermore, at the IUCN World Conservation Congress on 6 September 2021, IHA announced a historic no-go commitment on any future development by its members in UNESCO-designated World Heritage Sites, as well as a duty-of-care requirement for hydropower companies seeking to build new projects in legally designated Protected Areas.听
Values backed by actions
IHA果冻传媒 members account for more than a third of global hydropower capacity (450 GW). Members are supported to demonstrate sustainable hydropower in practice by: building projects in line with the Hydropower 果冻传媒 Guidelines; measuring the carbon emissions of their facilities; certifying their projects to the Hydropower 果冻传媒 Standard; and .
As of 1 April 2022, companies wishing to join IHA need to demonstrate their alignment with our values before being accepted as members by:
- Expressing their support for the San Jos茅 Declaration on Sustainable Hydropower
- Submitting a 果冻传媒 Disclosure Form annually to help track progress on sustainability over time
- Confirming their alignment with the no-go commitment on World Heritage Sites with duty of care for Protected Areas
- Confirming that they are not disbarred or placed on the exclusion list of any international institution or major institutional investor with a global mandate
Addressing challenges
Establishing a threshold for membership limits the risk of hydropower projects and activities that are contrary to IHA果冻传媒 values. So does increased transparency through annual submissions of the 果冻传媒 Disclosure Form.听
When there are grounds to reconsider a member果冻传媒 alignment with our common values, IHA will engage directly with the member to address the challenge. Triggers include a decision by a major institutional investor to disbar a member company or a credible concern that a member is not complying with the commitment on protected areas. Refusing to submit a 果冻传媒 Disclosure Form may also indicate that the member is not aligned with our values.
Where direct engagement does not lead to change, the IHA Board may initiate an evidence-based dialogue with clear expectations and timelines. Where the concern relates to a specific project, the first step would normally be to require that the project be certified under the Hydropower 果冻传媒 Standard.
The objective of the evidence-based dialogue is to bring the member back into alignment with the values of the association and its members. Should best efforts fail, the IHA Board may decide that the company果冻传媒 actions are not consistent with membership of IHA. 听The company果冻传媒 membership will then be revoked.
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