By Dr. Rimun Wibowo
Principal of Social Safeguards, Equator Group & NLC-ESS

The global race toward clean energy is accelerating. Governments are pledging net-zero targets, industries are shifting away from fossil fuels, and renewable energy projects are expanding at unprecedented speed. But amid this momentum, an important question is often overlooked: Can clean energy still create environmental and social harm?

Hydropower illustrates this dilemma clearly.

For decades, hydropower has been considered one of the pillars of renewable energy. It produces electricity with very low carbon emissions and provides a stable supply of power that complements intermittent sources such as solar and wind. Yet hydropower development has also been associated with ecological disruption, displacement of communities, and long-term social conflicts.

The challenge today is not simply to build more renewable energy infrastructure. It is to ensure that the transition to clean energy does not repeat the mistakes of the fossil fuel era—where economic progress came at the expense of ecosystems and communities.

The Strategic Role of Hydropower

Hydropower remains the largest contributor to renewable electricity worldwide. For more than a century, dams and hydropower plants have helped power industries, cities, and rural communities across the globe.

One of the reasons hydropower is so valuable in the energy transition is its low carbon intensity. On average, hydropower generates about 24 grams of CO₂ equivalent per kilowatt-hour, significantly lower than fossil fuel power plants. Gas-fired plants, for example, can emit more than 300 grams of CO₂ equivalent per kilowatt-hour.

In addition to its climate advantage, hydropower plays a critical role in maintaining grid stability. Solar and wind energy, while rapidly expanding, are inherently variable because they depend on weather conditions. Hydropower reservoirs can quickly adjust electricity output, making them ideal for balancing fluctuations in renewable energy supply.

This flexibility means hydropower will likely remain an essential component of the global energy transition.

However, its benefits come with complex trade-offs.

The Ecological and Social Costs

Large dams can significantly alter river ecosystems. They may block fish migration routes, disrupt sediment flows that nourish downstream ecosystems, and fundamentally change natural river dynamics.

Sediment trapped behind dams can also affect river morphology and coastal systems far downstream. In some regions, reduced sediment flows have been linked to erosion of riverbanks and deltas.

Beyond ecological concerns, the social consequences of dam construction can be profound.

Reservoirs often inundate forests, agricultural land, and settlements. Communities living in these areas may be required to relocate to new locations, sometimes far from their original homes.

For affected communities, relocation is rarely a simple logistical exercise. It can mean the loss of livelihoods, the fragmentation of social networks, and the erosion of cultural connections to ancestral land.

History provides many examples where hydropower projects—despite their climate benefits—triggered long-lasting disputes between local communities, governments, and developers.

These experiences remind us that renewable energy is not automatically sustainable.

Without careful planning and responsible management, even green energy projects can generate environmental damage and social injustice.

The Need for Sustainability Standards

Recognizing these risks, the hydropower sector has increasingly adopted sustainability frameworks to guide responsible project development.

One of the most comprehensive frameworks currently used internationally is the Hydropower Sustainability Standard (HSS). Developed through collaboration among governments, financial institutions, civil society organizations, and industry actors, the standard provides a structured approach to assessing hydropower projects.

Under this framework, hydropower projects are evaluated not only based on electricity generation but also on how effectively they manage environmental, social, and governance risks.

The assessment covers a wide range of issues, including project governance, biodiversity protection, water quality, sediment management, labor conditions, community engagement, resettlement processes, and the protection of Indigenous peoples.

Importantly, evaluations are conducted by independent assessors using an evidence-based methodology. This involves reviewing project documentation, conducting field observations, and engaging directly with affected stakeholders.

Such assessments help ensure that sustainability commitments are grounded in measurable performance rather than simply stated intentions.

Strengthening Indonesia’s Capacity

Indonesia possesses enormous hydropower potential due to its extensive river systems and mountainous terrain. Harnessing this potential could contribute significantly to the country’s energy transition and efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

However, the scale of this opportunity also brings significant responsibility.

Developing hydropower in a country rich in biodiversity and cultural diversity requires careful planning and strong safeguards. Environmental protection and community rights must be integral components of energy development strategies.

In March 2026, I had the opportunity to participate in the Hydropower Sustainability Standard Assessor Training in Sydney, Australia. The program gathered professionals from various countries to learn the methodologies used to evaluate hydropower sustainability.

After completing the training and passing the certification process, I became one of the Hydropower Sustainability Standard assessors from Indonesia authorized to conduct independent sustainability assessments under this global framework.

Expanding the presence of Indonesian experts within the international assessor network is important. It strengthens national capacity to evaluate hydropower projects through a sustainability lens and ensures that environmental and social considerations are not overshadowed by purely technical or economic priorities.

A Just Energy Transition

The global energy transition must be more than a shift in technology from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources. It must also represent a shift in how development decisions are made.

A truly sustainable transition must be inclusive, transparent, and respectful of communities and ecosystems.

Clean energy should not be defined solely by its carbon footprint. It must also be judged by how responsibly it is produced, how fairly its benefits are shared, and how carefully its risks are managed.

If guided by strong sustainability principles, hydropower can play a critical role in building a future energy system that is not only low-carbon, but also equitable and environmentally responsible.

The challenge for policymakers, developers, and communities alike is clear: the energy transition must be both green and just.