Paper short abstract:

This paper investigates the political ecology of large hydropower dams as an option for climate change mitigation, with particular reference to the role of Chinese dam-builders in Asia and Africa.

Paper long abstract:

Hydropower development is currently experiencing a global renaissance, fuelled by climate change concerns, and led by Chinese dam-builders and financiers. Large dams are a key energy priority in many low and middle income countries and they are considered a means to increase energy access, achieve development goals and contribute to climate change mitigation. However large hydropower dam projects have devastating, irreversible environmental impacts and can also negatively impact people's livelihoods and lives by reducing access to local natural resources such as land, water and food, as well as involving involuntary resettlement. This paper investigates China's role as the world's largest builder and investor of large dams, using a 'political ecology of the Asian drivers' perspective. It addresses the role Chinese actors play in large dam-building as well as the social, environmental, economic and political implications by drawing on four selected case studies: Kamchay dam in Cambodia, Bakun dam in Malaysia, Bui dam in Ghana and Zamafara dam in Nigeria. The paper concludes first that while the role of Chinese dam builders is important the role of national host governments is often determining how large dams and their impacts are being governed and managed, second, the paper indicates that the divergence between national priorities and local development needs can result in the unequal distribution of costs and benefits, third, the paper makes recommendations for more sustainable hydropower development. Finally, the paper stresses the importance of linking climate change mitigation and adaptation, as well as exploring the energy-water-food nexus.