Statements of support for the San José Declaration
International leaders and representatives of a wide range of hydropower stakeholder communities have been among those to have expressed support for the San José Declaration. You can read their statements below.
“The San José Declaration on Sustainable Hydropower is going to provide the blueprint for the new generation of hydropower, the construction and delivery of which is so critical if we are going to achieve the cut in emissions that we need.”
Malcolm Turnbull, 29th Prime Minister of Australia
“The IEA tells us that around the world, hydropower capacity will need to double within 30 years if we are to achieve net zero by 2050. So we need to step up deployment. And I am therefore delighted to receive the San José Declaration and to see that it has been adopted by this Congress. This Declaration is a first vital step in increasing the global deployment of hydropower, with solid principles to guide the developments of projects, and sound recommendations for governments and policy-makers developed in consultation with businesses, financial institutions and civil society. And this exemplifies the collaborative approach we need to make the clean energy transition a reality.”
Alok Sharma, President of COP26
“The San José Declaration seeks to promote sustainable hydropower development, and it is a call for best practices and to maximise positive impacts amongst governments, the private sector and stakeholders.”
Andrea Meza Murillo, Minister of Environment and Energy, Costa Rica
“Switzerland plans to officially endorse the San José Declaration. […] It underscores the necessity to more than double the development of hydropower if we want to meet the Paris Agreement objectives."
Benoît Revaz, Secretary of State for Energy, Switzerland
“With the energy transition becoming ever more relevant in light of the current global climate crisis, we are glad to see the hydropower industry take action.
On behalf of En+ group, I would like to express our support for the San José Declaration on Sustainable Hydropower.
It is essential to ensure sustainable hydropower is at the forefront of a worldwide climate and energy transition strategy. Ahead of COP26, it is crucial to have such a global declaration recognise and acknowledge hydropower's essential role in decarbonising the energy system, helping mitigate impacts of climate change, its ability to complement, integrate and accelerate growth in other renewables, and support numerous other UN Sustainable Development Goals. Hydropower has an intrinsic role in sustainable development. All while remaining reliable and affordable.”
Rt Hon Lord Barker of Battle, Executive Chairman, En+ Group
“At EDF we do support the San José Declaration on Sustainable Hydropower and we call on policy-makers to act swiftly on these recommendations, notably on promoting investment.”
Jean-Bernard Lévy, Chairman and CEO, EDF
“If we don’t act now, we as a society, will miss the window of opportunity. The San José Declaration shows the way forward in making net zero by 2050 possible with clean, green, sustainable and affordable hydropower.
I particularly welcome the Hydropower Sustainability Standard as a key pillar of the San José Declaration. To me this is the foundation of our credibility as an industry as hydropower projects around the world will have to be independently rated and certified for their sustainability performance.
We as GE will not participate in any project that has not been audited against these standards.”
Pascal Radue, President and CEO, GE Renewable Energy Hydro Solutions
“I want to commend the International Hydropower Association for their work on sustainable hydropower for many years, as demonstrated by the work on sustainability standards, and now culminating in the San José Declaration.”
Oivind Johansen, Assistant Director General, Norwegian Ministry of Petroleum and Energy
“The Costa Rican Electricity Institute is committed to the World Hydropower Congress and the San José Declaration because it provides a path to continue promoting the transition towards renewable, modern, and affordable energy sources.”
Irene Cañas, President, Costa Rican Energy Institute (ICE)
"GEIDCO is committed to the establishment of Global Energy Interconnection (GEI) to meet global power demand with clean and green alternatives. IHA has been an active promoter of hydropower with outstanding contribution to energy transition and sustainable growth worldwide. Both organizations share the same vision for the future. We believe that the release of the San José Declaration on Sustainable Hydropower comes just in time, as it will not only facilitate the sustainable development of hydropower, but also contribute to global actions to cope with resource shortage, environmental pollution, climate change and other crises confronting all humankind."
Global Energy Interconnection Development and Cooperation Organization (GEIDCO)
"ENGIE defends the highest standards in its activities. The San José Declaration translates what the company pursues in its social and environmental objectives in hydropower, and therefore helps creating a common language with our stakeholders."
ENGIE Brasil
"PJSC RusHydro, as a Russian leading company in renewable energy, hereby expresses its support for the initiatives and principles specified in the San José Declaration on Sustainable Hydropower. Hydropower, as a clean green energy source, is a modern and affordable solution to climate change, as well as an essential element in supporting sustainable development policies."
PJSC RusHydro
“The San José Declaration is an important milestone, bringing forward such powerful commitments. And as a longstanding member of the International Hydropower Association, Voith Hydro will follow up on and support this positive initiative.”
Uwe Wehnhart, CEO, Voith
“The San José Declaration well formulates a set of important recommendations to policy-makers in order to accelerate the energy transition and we urge them to act now.”
Wolfgang Semper, CEO, Andritz Hydro
“We are aligned with the United Nations SDGs, and the San José Declaration on Sustainable hydropower principles”
Sharbini Suhaili, Group CEO, Sarawak Energy
"Landsvirkjun fully supports the San José Declaration on Sustainable Hydropower and believes it will be remembered as the declaration that changed the way sustainable hydropower is defined."
Hörður Arnarson, CEO, Landsvirkjun
"The San José Declaration supports a uniform framework for sustainable hydropower, supports ongoing integration of renewable energy generation, and increases the net benefits from hydropower systems."
Jonathan Quebbeman, Director Water Resources South Asia, RTI International
"AIEQ is a trade organization based in Quebec for more than a century. It is representing a large diversity of stakeholders directly involved in hydro and other renewable energies. Quebec being the sixth largest hydroelectric producer in the world, AIEQ is very proud to join forces and support the San José Declaration and other IHA initiatives."
Denis Tremblay, President and CEO, Association de l'industrie électrique du Québec (AIEQ)
“We support the San José Declaration on Sustainable Hydropower and the Hydropower Sustainability Standard. They will play an important role in achieving global energy transition and net zero carbon targets.”
Wang Xiaojun, General Manager, Hubei Qingjiang
“We are in full support of the San José Declaration of Sustainable Hydropower and the sustainable hydropower Standard.”
He Shengming. Deputy General Manager, Yalong Hydro
"As part of the hydropower community we believe there is an urgent need for governments, investors and the public to acknowledge the key role of sustainable hydropower, not just as a major source of renewable energy but also as enabling other renewables. We support the San José Declaration of Sustainable Hydropower and call on policy-makers to act swiftly on its recommendations."
Jean-Philippe Cattin, Business Development Director and Dam Division Director, Razel-Bec
“We at Optimal Energy are fully committed to the San José Declaration, since climate change is already affecting all of us and the energy supply is one of the most important aspects in this challenge.”
Douglas Viera, President and CEO, Optimal Energy
"Hydro Tasmania has worked extensively with the IHA over many years on the establishment of sustainability standards and protocols, and Hydro Tasmania fully endorses the San José Declaration."
Ian Brooksbank, Interim CEO, Hydro Tasmania
"Our vision is to keep the lights on through the delivery of 100% renewable energy that industry and energy networks demand 24/7 and to play a key role in decarbonising the world’s energy systems. We support the San José declaration."
Rick McElhinney, CEO, Sunshine Hydro
“We fully endorse the San Jose declaration as setting the path for the continued and expanded role of sustainable hydro in the future, decarbonised global power sector.”
Anton-Louis Olivier, Senior Advisor, REH
"We endorse IHA's efforts to put sustainable hydropower back on the global agenda through the San José Declaration."
Hari Poologasundram, CEO, SMEC
