Panama: Govt. withdraws registration of Barro Blanco dam from UN Clean Development Mechanism
"Press Statement – In landmark decision, Panama withdraws UN registration for Barro Blanco hydrodam project," 10 Nov 2016
…Panama withdrew its registration of the controversial Barro Blanco hydro dam project, setting a precedent under the UN’s Clean Development Mechanism (CDM)…Panama claims that the project design document is no longer corresponding to its current environmental impact assessment.“…Panama has sent a strong signal to the UNFCCC that climate solutions must respect human rights…” says Alyssa Johl, founder of the Climate Rights Collective.Since breaking ground…indigenous Ngäbe communities have opposed the project as the dam reservoir is expected to flood homes and religious and cultural sites. The project developer GENISA failed to effectively consult or obtain the Ngäbe’s free, prior and informed consent before it began implementation.“Unfortunately, this withdrawal will not have a direct effect on the local affected stakeholders who are currently being inundated by the flooding of Barro Blanco’s reservoir…We call on the government to empty the reservoir below the…indigenous territory…line and to engage in conversations…involving all affected stakeholders” says Osvaldo Jordan, director of Alianza para la Conservación y el Desarrollo…