Initiatives to deliver on a bold, new vision for sustainable hydropower are chronicled in the International Hydropower Association's latest annual report.
The IHA 2022 Annual Report details launches such as the San José Declaration on Sustainable Hydropower and the Hydropower Sustainability Standard, which are already changing the way companies plan, develop and deliver renewable energy.
IHA President Roger Gill and Chief Executive Eddie Rich, writing in the foreword, reflect on a landmark year which culminated with the World Hydropower Congress and the United Nations Climate Conference (COP26) in Glasgow.
"2021 was a decisive year for the sustainable hydropower community to reawaken the forgotten giant of clean electricity," note Roger and Eddie. "Our unprecedented engagement in COP26 shows that we are building strong relations with influential partners who see the value of sustainable hydropower."
The annual report is published at the start of IHA's new membership year, at a time when the association's membership model is evolving to assist members to demonstrate their sustainability performance.
Pablo Valverde, Deputy Chief Executive and Head of Stakeholder Engagement at IHA, said: "Our objective is to promote sustainable hydropower. That includes promoting - and requiring - sustainability from our members.
"Paying membership fees should not be enough to be a member of IHA. Not all hydropower should be built, and not all hydropower projects are sustainable and not all companies belong as members of IHA."
The report also comes as IHA launches a global advocacy and communication campaign, We can, with hydropower', to champion hydropower's role in the clean energy transition. The campaign calls for urgent investment in the sector to combat climate change, accelerate progress towards net zero and strengthen energy security.
