Sustainable Development in China’s Examensarbete i Hållbar Utveckling 156 Decision Making on Large Dams: A case study of the Nu River Basin Sustainable Development in China’s Decision Making on Large Dams: Huiyi Chen A case study of the Nu River Basin Huiyi Chen Uppsala University, Department of Earth Sciences Master Thesis E, in Sustainable Development, 30 credits Printed at Department of Earth Sciences, Master’s Thesis Geotryckeriet, Uppsala University, Uppsala, 2013. E, 30 credits Examensarbete i Hållbar Utveckling 156 Sustainable Development in China’s Decision Making on Large Dams: A case study of the Nu River Basin Huiyi Chen Supervisor: Ashok Swain Evaluator: Florian Krampe Acknowledgement Writing this thesis paper has been a rewarding experience. During the whole process, there were some beautiful people around me who always supported me with their guidance and inspiration and without them I would not be able to get this experience. Thanks you for giving me an opportunity to share my gratitude. First of all, my indebted gratefulness goes to my supervisor Professor Ashok Swain, Director at the Uppsala Center for Sustainable Development and Professor at the Department of Peace and Conflict Research, Uppsala University, for his continuous guidance and support. Thanks so much Ashok for being so patient and clarifying me every time when I was lost. It was an honor to have you as my supervisor. In addition, I would also like to thank my evaluator Florian Krampe, Ph.D. Candidate and associated research fellow at the Uppsala Center for Sustainable Development, for taking time to read through my thesis and evaluating it. I am very grateful to Uppsala University for giving me an opportunity to study in a truly international environment. Thanks to all my teachers, friends and classmates of “Sustainable Development” master’s programme for making my study stimulating and exciting. I feel so proud to be a part of the rich Uppsala heritage. Last but not the least, my gratitude and thanks goes to my family: my mother, Meifang Jin, my father, Yingen Chen and my friend Tom Guan. Without your support, I could not have finished this thesis. ii Table of Contents 1. Introduction ....................................................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Sustainable Development .................................................................................................................................. 1 1.2 Energy and Sustainable Development ............................................................................................................... 1 1.3 Renewable Energy for Sustainable Development ............................................................................................. 2 1.4 Economic Benefits of Hydropower ................................................................................................................... 3 2. Background of the Study .................................................................................................................................. 4 2.1 Power Demand from China’s Economic Development .................................................................................... 4 2.2 China’s Energy Resources and Use .................................................................................................................. 4 2.3 China’s Energy Strategy till 2015 ..................................................................................................................... 6 2.4 Hydropower Development in China ................................................................................................................. 6 2.4.1 Opportunity for Hydropower Expansion ........................................................................................................ 7 2.4.2 National Resettlement Policy for Large Dams ............................................................................................... 7 3. Methodology and Theory ................................................................................................................................. 8 3.1 Research Question ............................................................................................................................................. 8 3.2 Research Methodology ...................................................................................................................................... 8 3.3 Case Selection ................................................................................................................................................... 9 3.4 Scope & Limitation ......................................................................................................................................... 10 4. Theoretical Framework: Sustainability of Large Dams .............................................................................. 10 4.1 History of Large Dams’ Development ............................................................................................................ 10 4.2 Social and Environmental Impacts of Large Dams ......................................................................................... 11 4.2.1 Environmental Impacts of Large Dams ........................................................................................................ 11 4.2.2 Social Impacts of Large Dams ..................................................................................................................... 12 4.3 A New Policy Framework for the Sustainability of Large Dams .................................................................... 13 5. Case study ........................................................................................................................................................ 15 5.1 China’s Plan for Hydropower ......................................................................................................................... 15 5.2 Hydropower Development on Nu River ......................................................................................................... 16 5.3 Geography and Environment of the Nu River Area ........................................................................................ 19 5.3.1 Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas ........................................................................................ 19 5.3.2 Fish Species.................................................................................................................................................. 20 5.3.3 Seismic Riskzone ......................................................................................................................................... 20 5.4 Socio-Economic Conditions of the Nu River Area ......................................................................................... 21 5.4.1 Social and Economic Status of People in the Nu River Area ....................................................................... 21 5.4.2 Resettlement Situation of Liuku Dam .......................................................................................................... 22 6. Analysis and Discussion .................................................................................................................................. 23 6.1 Gaining Public Acceptance ............................................................................................................................. 23 6.2 Comprehensive Option Assessment ................................................................................................................ 24 6.3 Addressing Existing Dam ............................................................................................................................... 26 6.4 Sustaining Rivers and Livelihoods .................................................................................................................. 26 6.5 Recognizing Entitlements and Sharing Benefits ............................................................................................. 27 6.6 Ensuring Compliance ...................................................................................................................................... 28 6.7 Sharing Rivers for Peace, Development and Security ..................................................................................... 29 7. Conclusion ....................................................................................................................................................... 30 8. References ........................................................................................................................................................ 31 Appendix 1 ........................................................................................................................................................... 36 Appendix 2 ........................................................................................................................................................... 37 Appendix 3 ........................................................................................................................................................... 40 Appendix 4 ........................................................................................................................................................... 41 iii Sustainable Development in China’s Decision Making on Large Dams: A case study of the