Hydropower and the Right to a Clean, Healthy, and Sustainable Environment - Issue Brief SDG 7

This document examines the role of hydropower in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 7 in Asia and the Pacific. It emphasises the link with the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment and the need for a just energy transition. It outlines the potential of hydropower to reduce emissions and support economic development. At the same time, it highlights the associated risks, including displacement, loss of livelihoods, impacts on biodiversity, violations of indigenous peoples' rights and threats to environmental defenders. The brief stresses that hydropower must be developed sustainably, with independent environmental impact assessments, transparent decision-making processes, fair compensation, gender equality measures and the protection of vulnerable groups. Governments, companies and financiers are called upon to respect human rights, ensure free, prior and informed consent, safeguard labour standards and conduct ongoing human rights due diligence.