The Hydropower Sustainability Alliance has released the How-to Guide on Hydropower Climate Change Mitigation, providing instructions for assessing and managing greenhouse gas emissions throughout the hydropower project lifecycle.
The guide supports compliance with the climate-related requirements of the Hydropower Sustainability Standard (HSS) and complements the existing guide on climate change resilience. It was launched as COP30 concluded in Belém, where the focus was on reducing fossil fuel use and enhancing transparent climate mitigation methods.
The guide outlines a structured approach for project planning, implementation, operation and end-of-life phases. It offers guidance on estimating emissions, assessing contributions to system-level mitigation, aligning with international reporting frameworks such as IFRS and taxonomy regulations, preparing for HSS assessments, and building capacity among regulators and implementing agencies. Annexes include carbon footprint methods, policy frameworks and practical examples.
Martin Fuchs, Head of Hydro Consulting at AFRY Austria GmbH and lead author, said: “Hydropower projects generally have low emissions, but demonstrating this requires careful assessment and management. This guide provides a practical framework that project teams can apply from planning through to operation.
“As methodologies and reporting requirements continue to evolve, we wanted to create a resource that supports developers, operators and regulators in applying up-to-date, internationally recognised approaches to climate change mitigation.”
Alain Kilajian, Deputy Executive Director of the Hydropower Sustainability Alliance, added: “Climate change impacts every sector and hydropower is no different. Understanding and managing emissions makes a big difference in how a project performs over time and whether it truly aligns with the low-carbon future we want. With the launch of this new guide, the hydropower sector is raising the bar for carbon emissions testing and reporting for projects all around the world.
“This guide not only collates a vast amount of information into a single, succinct document, but also offers practical, step-by-step measures to help projects move from basic compliance towards best practice in alignment with the Hydropower Sustainability Standard.”
The guide reflects current methodologies and international references and will be updated as climate mitigation practices evolve.
