NGOs Oppose Subsidies to Hydro as a Renewable Energy [PDF]

May 13, 2005 (Source: ECA Watch) — Prior to the April meetings at the OECD, NGOs offered support for subsidies covering truly new renewable energy projects, but rejected the inclusion of large hydro dams in this category because of the massive and irreversible social and environmental damages they generate. In a May 11 OECD press release, Participants in the Arrangement on Export Credits announced their approval of the renewables subsidies, but included large hydro dams in the definition of "renewable", and put off implementation of the policy for dams pending the definition of standards for hydro. NGOs have recommended that the OECD environmental practitioners group mandated to come up with appropriate standards for dams consult with a number of experts and governments that are working on the implementation of the World Commission on Dams recommendations. What are truly renewable energy technologies? See the CURES declaration (PDF) .