Sinohydro responds to civil society concerns

Sinohydro is China's leading dam builder, and is developing scores of hydropower projects outside China. Its investments in Africa include dam projects such as Bui (Ghana), Dikgatlhong (Botswana), Grand Poubara (Gabon), Imboulou (Congo-Brazzaville), Kariba North Bank Extension (Zambia), Merowe (Sudan), Tekeze (Ethiopia) and Zungeru (Nigeria). The company is committed to becoming a global brand in the hydropower sector.

On February 18, a group of NGOs from Africa and Asia, together with International Rivers, sent a letter to Sinohydro. They recommended that the company adopt international environmental standards as part of its quest to become a global brand, and engage in a dialogue with civil society in the host countries of its projects.

On April 28, Sinohydro responded to the NGOs. The company confirmed its commitment to global and host country laws and regulations, including ISO 14,001. It also offered to arrange a meeting with its advisory experts from the Chinese Society of Hydroelectric Engineers and Chinese National Committee on Large Dams when the authors of the NGO letter visit China.

Sinohydro's response is an encouraging sign, and the NGOs will continue their dialogue with the company and its advisory bodies. The correspondence with Sinohydro is available at
http://internationalrivers.org/en/node/4263/ .

∗ Peter Bossard is Policy Director at International Rivers Network.