Project Description
MK8 focused on understanding and improving the ways in which decisions are made with respect to hydropower (HP) location, coordination, development and operation in the Mekong River Basin. The project’s objective was to improve the way decisions are made with respect to dam development, placement, operation and function in the region, encouraging more open, inclusive and transparent decision-making . It was important that these decisions also took into account dam placement within a broader hydrological and social context. MK8 believed that, in this way, decision-making processes could contribute to reducing the negative social and environmental impacts of dam construction and operation in the Mekong Region and, in turn, enhance the benefits.
Partners
MK8 was led by the D Foundation for Doing Good Work, based in Chiang Mai, Thailand, in collaboration with the Faculty of Political Science, Chulalongkorn University (Thailand), the Faculty of Law and Political Sciences, National University of Laos (NUOL), the Center for Water Resources Conservation and Development (Vietnam), the School of International Studies, Peking University (China), the GMS Study Centre, Yunnan University (China) and the Department of Environmental Science, Royal University of Phnom Penh.
The Basin Challenge Game
The Basin Challenge – Online Game A decision-making game: how would you develop a river basin.
Video: Hydropower Thailand
Improving Hydropower Decision-making Processes in Thailand. Read more.
Video: Hydropower – Cambodia
Improving Hydropower Decision-making Processes in Cambodia. Read more.
Outputs
Working Paper: Lao Hydropower Perspectives Download publication
Research Report on Decision-making on Hydropower Development in Lao PDR Download publication
Research Report on Improving Hydropower Decision Making in Thailand Download publication
Research Report on Improving Hydropower Decision Making in Vietnam Download publication
Research Report on Hydropower Development within China and in the Lower Mekong Region Download publication
Technical Report on Improving Hydropower Project Decision Making Processes in Cambodia Download publication
Research Report on Improving Hydropower Project Decision Making Processes in CambodiaDownload publication
Research Report on Hydropower Development within China and in the Lower Mekong RegionDownload publication
Final Report on Yunnan Case Study
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- Annex I From Manwan to Nuozhadu: the political ecology of hydropower on China’s Lançang Jiang Download publication
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Annex II Hydropower Development In China: History And Narratives Download publication
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Annex III Chinese Studies on Impacts of Dams Download publication
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Annex IV Minutes Of Seminar On Energy Development Of Southeast Asia Download publication
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Annex V The Example of Pu’er City: Researching the Sustainability of Livelihoods for Communities Resettled by the Nuozhadu Hydropower Plant Download publication
Papers from: Matthews, N. and Geheb, K. (eds.), 2015.
Hydropower Development in the Mekong Region: Political, Socio-economic and Environmental Perspectives. Earthscan, London (UK). https://www.routledge.
Matthews, N. and Geheb, K. 2015. On dams, demons and development: the political intrigues of hydropower development in the Mekong. In: Matthews, N. and Geheb, K. (eds). Hydropower Development in the Mekong Region: Political, Socio-economic and Environmental Perspectives. Earthscan, London (UK): 1-16.
Daojiong, Z. 2015. Framing a political ecology of Mekong Basin hydropower development. In: Matthews, N. and Geheb, K. (eds). Hydropower Development in the Mekong Region: Political, Socio-economic and Environmental Perspectives. Earthscan, London (UK): 17-31.
Lyu, X. 2015. A political ecology of hydropower development in China.In: Matthews, N. and Geheb, K. (eds). Hydropower Development in the Mekong Region: Political, Socio-economic and Environmental Perspectives. Earthscan, London (UK): 54-82.
Sangkhamanee, J. 2015. From Pak Mun to Xayaburi: the backwater and spillover of Thailand’s hydropower politics. In: Matthews, N. and Geheb, K. (eds). Hydropower Development in the Mekong Region: Political, Socio-economic and Environmental Perspectives. Earthscan, London (UK): 83-100.
Geheb, K., West, N. and Matthews, N. 2015. The Invisible Dam: Hydropower and its narration in the Lao Peoples’ Democratic Republic. In Matthews, N. and Geheb, K. (eds.) Hydropower Development in the Mekong Region: Political, Socio-economic and Environmental Perspectives. Earthscan, London (UK): 101-126.
Middleton, C., Matthews, N. and Mirumachi, N. 2015. Whose risky business? Public-private partnerships, build-operate-transfer and large hydropower dams in the Mekong Region. In Matthews, N. and Geheb, K. (eds.) Hydropower Development in the Mekong Region: Political, Socio-economic and Environmental Perspectives. Earthscan, London (UK): 127-152
Ham, K., Hay, S. and Sok, T. 2015. The politics of the Lower Sesan 2 Dam in Cambodia. In Matthews, N. and Geheb, K. (eds.) Hydropower Development in the Mekong Region: Political, Socio-economic and Environmental Perspectives. Earthscan, London (UK): 153-172.
Dao, N. and Phuong, B.L. 2015. Rethinking development narratives on hydropower in the Vietnam. In Matthews, N. and Geheb, K. (eds.) Hydropower Development in the Mekong Region: Political, Socio-economic and Environmental Perspectives. Earthscan, London (UK): 173-197.
Funding
MK8 was a CGIAR Challenge Program on Water and Food initiative supported by funding from Australian Aid.
Duration
August 2012 to December 2013
Contact the team:
Lead investigator: Dr. Nathanial Matthews – nate_matthews@hotmail.com
In Cambodia: Mr. Ham Kimkong – kimkongham@yahoo.com
In China: Dr. Lu Xing – xing.lu.gms@gmail.com
In Lao PDR: Mr. Sypha Chanthavong – chantavongsy@yahoo.com
In Thailand: Dr. Jakkrit Sangkhamanee – jakkrit.mail@gmail.com
In Vietnam: Ms. Hieu Vu – hieu@warecod.org.vn