Improving policies and instruments to address cumulative impacts of small hydropower in the Amazon

Author(s)

Athayde, Simone ^[1] ; Duarte, Carla G. ^[2] ; Gallardo, Amarilis L. C. F. ^{[3, 4]} ; Moretto, Evandro M. ^{[5, 6]} ; Sangoi, Luisa A. ^[7] ; Dibo, Ana Paula A. ^[8] ; Siqueira-Gay, Juliana ^[8] ; Sanchez, Luis E. ^[8]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Florida, Ctr Latin Amer Studies, Trop Conservat & Dev Program, 381 Grinter Hall, Gainesville, FL 32611 - USA

^[2] Fed Univ Sao Paulo UNIFESP, Inst Environm Chem & Pharmaceut Sci, Rua Sao Nicolau 210, BR-09913030 Diadema, SP - Brazil

^[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Environm Management & Sustainabil Program, Univ Nove Julho Uninove, Escola Politecn, Av Prof Almeida Prado 83, BR-05508070 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[4] Univ Sao Paulo, Smart & Sustainable Cities Program, Univ Nove Julho Uninove, Escola Politecn, Av Prof Almeida Prado 83, BR-05508070 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[5] Univ Sao Paulo, IEE, Av Prof Luciano Gualberto 1289, BR-05508010 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[6] Univ Sao Paulo, Sch Arts Sci & Humanities EACH, Av Prof Luciano Gualberto 1289, BR-05508010 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[7] MPF, Av Cuiaba 974, BR-68040400 Santarem, PA - Brazil

^[8] Univ Sao Paulo, Escola Politecn, Av Prof Mello Moraes 2373, BR-05508900 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: ENERGY POLICY; v. 132, p. 265-271, SEP 2019.
• Web of Science Citations: 2

Abstract

Small hydropower plants (SHPs) are rapidly sprawling, both globally and across the Amazon's free flowing rivers, threatening provision of ecosystem services, river connectivity, biodiversity conservation, and the livelihoods of indigenous and traditional communities. In Brazil, cumulative impacts of SHPs have been largely neglected in planning and policy instruments. In this perspective article, we highlight current policy challenges and options for assessing the impacts of small hydroelectric plants in the Amazon, which deserve more attention in both academic research and public policies. We review environmental licensing of seven small and one large dam in the Cupari river, a Tapajos tributary, which is being challenged in Federal Courts based on inadequate cumulative impact assessment. We argue for the need of adopting good practices in cross-scale environmental assessment when applying existing or new policy instruments, including: the adoption of Strategic Environmental Assessment in planning for hydropower expansion taking into consideration other plans, programs and policies at regional and Amazon-wide scales; developing integrated environmental assessments considering inventoried SHPs and large hydropower plants; using scientific evidence and technological tools in planning and siting of SHPs; complying with policies that protect human and environmental rights; and strengthening intersectoral dialogue and multi-stakeholder forums and committees. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 15/20228-1 - Strategic environmental assessment for the Brazilian hydroelectric planning sector
• Grantee: Amarilis Lucia Casteli Figueiredo Gallardo
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants