Applying the HSS in Practice

Build the practical skills to apply the Hydropower Sustainability Standard in real-world assessment contexts

Course 3

Online course overview

Applying the Hydropower Sustainability Standard (HSS) in practice requires the ability to interpret requirements, assess performance and communicate findings clearly. This course builds on your foundational knowledge and focuses on developing the practical skills needed to apply the HSS in real-world assessment contexts, including scoring performance, identifying gaps and evaluating compliance with minimum and advanced requirements.

You will learn how to translate assessment findings into actionable environmental and social (E&S) improvement plans and compile clear, structured assessment reports. By the end of the course, you will be equipped to contribute to HSS assessments with confidence, supporting credible, transparent outcomes and helping projects strengthen their sustainability performance.

What you will achieve?

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

Apply the HSS scoring methodology with confidence

Understand how scoring under the HSS is determined, including how to identify gaps and assess performance against minimum and advanced requirements. Practice analysing evidence to determine whether requirements are met and where improvements are needed.

Evaluate gaps and define meaningful improvement actions

Learn how to judge the significance of identified gaps and prioritise them based on risk and impact. Develop practical skills in translating assessment findings into clear environmental and social action plans.

Prepare clear and structured HSS assessment reports

Build the ability to compile concise, well-structured assessment report content aligned with HSS expectations. Practice summarising results, presenting evidence and clearly communicating findings.

How does this course fit into the pathway?

Applying the HSS in Practice is the third course in the Certified User learning pathway.

It builds on earlier courses by moving from foundational understanding into practical application.

HSS
Fundamentals

HSS
Assessment Planning

Applying the
HSS in Practice

Certified User
Exam

Course curriculum

1. Hello from your trainers
2. Course outline, objectives and structure
3. How to navigate the platform
1. Lesson 1: Scoring methodology
2. Activity 1: Find the gap
3. Lesson 2: Judging gap significance
4. Activity 2A: Minimum requirements
5. Activity 2B: Advanced requirements
6. Quiz: Module 1 review
1. Lesson 3: E&S action plan
2. Activity 3: Developing an action plan
3. Lesson 4: Compiling an assessment report
4. Activity 4: Summarising assessment results
5. Quiz: Module 2 review
1. Quiz: Course review
2. Congratulations and next steps
3. Closing survey