This report, commissioned by the MRC-GIZ Cooperation Programme, provides a review of available literature related to climate change, hydrological processes, and hydropower development specific to the MRB, as well as other river basins of relevance and applicability to the MRB. We provide an overview of the climate and hydrology of the MRB, and a synthesis of knowledge and uncertainly about the impact of climate change in the region (Chapter 2). We assess the impact of climate change on existing and potential hydropower development in the MRB, and the gaps in knowledge and lessons learned from global studies of the impact of climate change on hydropower production (Chapter 3). We evaluate the role of MRB hydropower development in mitigating climate change impacts, through a reduction in Global Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions relative to fossil fuel-based energy sources, and the management of reservoirs to reduce the impact of extreme floods and droughts (Chapter 4). We also consider the potential for hydropower development to worsen climate change impacts, through the cumulative effects of river regulation and climate change on the ecological services and livelihoods supported by the Mekong River (Chapter 5). Finally, we provide recommendations for further research, modeling, and monitoring to fill gaps in knowledge of critical importance to political leaders, hydropower developers and operators, the Mekong River Commission, and other stakeholders (Chapter 6).
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