Dams are a risky business – for affected people, the environment and investors. Huge cost overruns, technical problems, community opposition and rampant corruption can derail multi-billion dollar projects. Due to the big risks, finance is the weakest link in dam building.
For many years, the World Bank Group was the most important financier of large dams. In recent years, Chinese financial institutions have taken over this role, triggering a new boom in global dam building. Some public sector national banks have followed suit, as have private banks, private equity firms and export credit agencies. Finally, dam builders are increasingly turning to climate finance as a way to bankroll the high costs of dams.
Our Work to hold Financiers Accountable
International Rivers holds public and private funders accountable. We work to dry up funding for dam projects that violate social and environmental standards, make sure funders and governments keep their promises, and redirect resources into better alternatives, including a just energy transition.
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Latest News
- Campaigners call on development banks to reject controversial Rogun mega dam in TajikistanCo-published with Rivers without Boundaries, Coalition for Human Rights in Development and other partners Today on the 27th International Day of Action for Rivers, international and local civil society organizations … Read more
- Finance in Common Summit shows reality is not meeting rhetoric when it comes to support for human rights and civic spaceBy: Josh Klemm, Co-Executive Director of International Rivers Earlier this month, I had the chance to attend the fourth annual Finance in Common (FIC) Summit in Cartagena, Colombia. A relatively … Read more
- International Rivers joined 42 organizations in calling on the OECD to ensure Brazil can end deforestation & protect human rights as it considers the nation for membershipToday, October 3rd, a civil society group published and sent a letter to The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and relevant government agencies calling for a careful evaluation of … Read more
- Civil society organizations call on the VP of the Inter-American Development Bank for more transparency and participation in IDB Access to Information PolicyInternational Rivers joins 23 organizations delivering a letter addressed to Richard Martínez Alvarado, Vice President of theCountries Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) This week, 24 civil society organizations(CSOs) raised concerns about … Read more