Project Description
ICEM was commissioned by the Mekong River Commission (MRC) to conduct a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of 11 proposed hydropower dams along the mainstream Mekong River across Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand, and Vietnam. Over a 12-month period, the SEA evaluated the economic, social, and environmental implications of these developments, considering both planned and committed hydropower projects, as well as other regional development activities and climate change impacts. The SEA also served as a pilot to demonstrate how strategic assessments can inform decision-making for sustainable hydropower development in the Lower Mekong Basin (LMB).
Objectives, Activities and Results
The SEA aimed to inform regional policy on hydropower development, provide baseline data for future project EIAs, establish a framework for sub-basin SEAs, and build SEA capacity among stakeholders. It assessed alternative hydropower strategies through extensive data analysis, stakeholder interviews, and regional consultations with government, civil society, and donors. Key outputs included technical, policy, and institutional recommendations for impact mitigation and monitoring. The project also delivered significant capacity building, particularly for National Mekong Committees and relevant government agencies, through hands-on training and involvement in SEA processes. The SEA contributed to a better understanding of the trade-offs in mainstream hydropower development and laid the foundation for more sustainable water resource governance in the LMB.
