Biodiversity Management in Hydropower

Develop specialist expertise through self-paced online learning to all specialist courses

Online course overview

Hydropower projects inevitably impact ecosystems, sometimes far downstream, making responsible biodiversity management crucial for sustainable development. This online course provides an in-depth understanding of biodiversity management in hydropower in alignment with the Hydropower Sustainability Standard.

Participants will explore best practices for identifying, mitigating, and monitoring biodiversity impacts throughout the hydropower project lifecycle. The course features interactive content, real-world case studies, and practical methodologies to support effective biodiversity management.

By completing this course, you will develop the knowledge and skills needed to align hydropower projects with global sustainability standards, ensuring positive biodiversity outcomes.

Prerequisite: The Certified User learning pathway must be completed before enrolling in this course.

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Course features

Flexible learning

Engage with our content anytime, anywhere, to suit your busy schedule

Interactive activities

Participate in activities and discussions with trainers and fellow learners to deepen your understanding and apply knowledge effectively

Practical tools and resources

Gain access to case studies, templates and guides that you can immediately implement in your projects

What you will achieve?

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

Understand biodiversity impacts

Learn how hydropower projects impact ecosystems, identify key biodiversity risks, and explore opportunities for conservation.

Integrate biodiversity in project design

Understand how to integrate biodiversity considerations into project design through environmental flows, fish passage solutions, and biodiversity action planning.

Implement management plans

Prepare and implement biodiversity management plans in alignment with international sustainability best practices.

Who should attend?

Project managers, sustainability teams, and engineers responsible for integrating biodiversity management into project design, construction, and operations

Experts conducting biodiversity assessments, developing mitigation plans, and ensuring compliance with international sustainability standards

Civil society and NGOs advocating for biodiversity protection and responsible hydropower development

Government agencies and regulators involved in environmental approvals, biodiversity conservation, and policy development

Course curriculum

1. Hello from your trainers
2. Course outline, objectives and structure
3. How to navigate the platform
1. Lesson 1: Important biodiversity concepts
2. Activity 1: Biodiversity terms and definitions
3. Lesson 2: Hydropower impacts on biodiversity
4. Activity 2: Identify biodiversity impacts
5. Lesson 3: Mitigation hierarchy
6. Activity 3: IUCN Red List
7. Quiz: Module 1 review
1. Lesson 4: Biodiversity activities in project life cycle
2. Activity 4: Match biodiversity activity to the project stage
3. Lesson 5: Biodiversity performance requirements
4. Activity 5: Find the gap
5. Lesson 6: Gap significance
6. Activity 6A: Minimum requirements
7. Activity 6B: Advanced requirements
8. Quiz: Module 2 review
1. Lesson 7: Planning and assessment methodologies
2. Activity 7: Applying planning and assessment methodologies
3. Lesson 8: Integrating biodiversity into hydropower design
4. Activity 8: Applying design methodologies
5. Lesson 9: Managing implementation and operation
6. Activity 9: Applying methodologies for implementation and operation
7. Case studies: Best practice in biodiversity management
8. Quiz: Module 3 review
1. Final Quiz: Course review
2. Congratulations and next steps
3. Closing survey