Ambitious hydropower plans will accelerate greenhouse gases emissions from the Hindu-Kush Himalaya region

Abstract

Large-scale hydropower expansion in the Hindu-Kush Himalaya (HKH) can meet the increasing electricity demand and promote local economic development, but bring new environmental concerns, e.g., a rising dam-induced greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions. Here, we compiled an open-access database detailing dams (n = 2739) in the HKH region, and estimated their GHG emissions. The results show that the estimated total GHG emissions from the HKH dams are approximately 22.1 Tg CO₂eq. yr⁻¹, and more than 90 % were attributed to the dams under construction or planned. Further analysis suggested that the estimated carbon intensities of HKH dams (median = 38.1 kg CO₂eq. MWh⁻¹) are often comparable with that of other renewable energy sources, while 17.4 % of the hydropower plants are still incompatible with low-carbon goal. Notwithstanding its limitations, this study provides the first estimation of reservoir GHG emissions in the HKH region and contributes to SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) by exploring sustainable energy solutions, and to SDG 13 (Climate Action) by identifying strategies to mitigate the environmental impacts of energy production.