Dams and Sustainability

Committee T of ICOLD has planned a series of webinars dedicated to the sustainability of dams in their full life cycle. The first webinar aimed to define the content and what should be addressed in the development of future work. The video of this Webinar#1 is now available here.

 

DAMS & SUSTAINABILITY ICOLD Webinar #1 - 29/05/2024

PROGRAM

 

• Webinar presentation Michel Lino (President of ICOLD)
• Introduction. Objectives & Purpose Luc Deroo (ICOLD TC-T) Francisco Ortega (ICOLD TC-P)
• The framework: SDGs Francisco Ortega (ICOLD TC-P)
• Dams and the environment (social and ecological aspects beyond CHG) Peter Amos (ICOLD TC-G)
• The sustainability of concrete dams Marco Conrad (ICOLD TC-D)
• The LCA method. An example Joachim Verdier (Lhoist Group)
• Accounting externalities and short/long term analysis Lamis Aljounaidi (PIA)
• Various levels of ambition, perimeters and metrics Luc Deroo (ICOLD TC-T)
• Q&A Session
• Moderation Steve Usher (HP&D)

 

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Webinar #2 just released - 07 May 2025

 

 

This second Webinar is intended to introduce the general principles of a Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment (LCSA) methodology. The LCSA comprises not only environmental LCA, but also social and economic life cycle cost assessment. ICOLD has invited a distinguished group of experts to present the key components of the LCSA and examples of how it is applied in other sectors, with the aim of adapting it to dams and reservoirs.

 

The webinar features the following presentations:

• Webinar presentation - Luc Deroo & Francisco Ortega (TC-T of ICOLD)
• General introduction to LCSA with a focus on dam-specific aspects - Sonia Valdivia (World Resources Forum)
• Sustainability criteria from the perspective of funding institutions - Nicholas Zmijewski (World Bank)
• Tools and methods of the Hydropower Sustainability Standard (HSS) that are applicable to dams and reservoirs - Kimberly Lyon (World Bank / HSA Council Chair)
• Sustainability framework for earthworks - Jean-Pierre Magnan (EU Working Group on Sustainable Earthworks)
• Life cycle cost assessment of dams - Alena Raymond (AmSpec)
• Biodiversity footprint and LCA: Case studies and analyses - Bonaventure Fontanier (EDF)
• Social Life Cycle Assessment (S-LCA): An example from the mining sector - Isabel Wolf (Technical University of Berlin)

 

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!! NEW !! Webinar #3- GHG Emissions from Dams & Reservoirs

November 20, 2025 1pm - 3pm (CET) Free event

 

 

This Webinar #3 will focus on calculating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions throughout the life cycle of dams. GHG emissions are the main cause of global climate change. Researching and calculating GHG emissions is essential to identifying potential areas for emissions reduction in all human activities, including dams. ICOLD has invited a distinguished group of speakers to present this important topic, beginning with a general introduction and then moving on to more specific aspects related to GHG emissions associated with dams and reservoirs.

 

View the flyer

 

NEW December 2025>>> REPLAY OF THIS WEBINAR IS NOW ONLINE

 

 

Program

• Introduction Devendra Sharma (President of ICOLD)

• Webinar presentation Francisco Ortega (Fosce, ICOLD TC-T)

• GHG emissions and climate change Steve Usher (Aqua-Media Int., ICOLD TC-D)

• GHG Protocol and the LSR Standard Alejandra Bosch (GHG Protocol)

• Life-cycle GHG emissions of dams Marco Conrad (Afry, ICOLD TC-D)

• Collecting data of GHG emissions from reservoirs: how relevant it is and how efficient it can be! Maud Demarty (Aqua-Consult, ICOLD TC-Y)

• G-res tool: current methodology and future development Yves Prairie (Université du Québec à Montréal)

• Methodology for accounting GHG emissions in the construction of dams Francisco Ortega (Fosce, ICOLD TC-T)

• From wastewater to reservoirs: Unlocking the potential of methane capture Eliana Bohórquez-Bedoya (Bluemethane)

• Decision-making system for calculating the life cycle carbon footprint of dams in China Chunna Liu (IWHR)

• Q&A Session Moderation by Steve Usher (HP&D)

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Tags : News

Invitation from R.K. Vishnoi

President, INCOLD and CMD, THDC India Ltd.

 

The recent monsoon events in 2025 have underscored the urgent need for sustainable and climate-resilient infrastructure, particularly in the fragile Himalayan region.

In this context, the conference on Climate-Resilient Dams and Hydropower Infrastructure: Integrating Environmental Sustainability in Planning and Development, to be held on 29-30 January 2026 at the SCOPE Convention Center, New Delhi, offers a timely and vital platform for collaboration. The event will bring together experts, practitioners, and stakeholders to share innovations, explore solutions from climate risk assessments to Al and nature-based approaches and chart the path forward.

On behalf of INCOLD, I warmly invite all stakeholders to participate actively as sponsors, exhibitors, paper contributors, and by nominating delegates.

Let us come together to build infrastructure that is resilient, sustainable, and future-ready.

We look forward to your active participation and valuable contribution.

 

Click on the image below to see the brochure:

 

Tags : Events

 

 Registration is now open 

 

?? The special offer for early bookings ends soon (31 December 2025) ??

Don't delay in registering to take advantage of the preferential price.

 

??Important advice for your trip:??
Guadalajara will also host major events in 2026, including World Cup football matches. Hotels will fill up quickly, so book your accommodation in advance to avoid last-minute surprises!

 

www.icoldmexico2026.com

 

The 94^th ICOLD Annual Meeting will be held at the iconic Expo Guadalajara. Registration is now open. We invite you to register as soon as possible to benefit from early bird prices.

 

Shape the Future of Water and Energy 

 

The symposium theme, “Water, Energy, and Society: The Evolving Role of Dams in a Changing World”, addresses the most pressing challenges of our time:

 

> Climate resilience

> Sustainable water management

> Energy transition

 

This theme reflects the critical intersection of water resources, energy production, and societal needs in the context of global challenges such as climate change, urbanization, and sustainability. It emphasizes how dams and related infrastructure must adapt and innovate to remain relevant and safe in a rapidly changing world.

 

As every year, this week will also feature meetings of the Technical Committees and their workshops, meetings of the various regional clubs, the young professionals club, the French-speaking club, etc.

 

Don't miss this opportunity to discover Mexico, and more specifically the city of Guadalajara and its surroundings, thanks to the technical and cultural visits that have been planned. 

 

Come and take part in the work of the ICOLD

Click on the image below to see an overview of the program of the week:

 

Register now to take advantage of preferential pricing.
 

Please visit the official website to learn more about the general program, condensed courses, the detailed program of the symposium, the technical tours, and everything the city of Guadalajara and its surroundings have to offer.

 

www.icoldmexico2026.com

Tags : Events