The purpose of this report is to provide guidance to the approach and methodology for the social component[1] of the triple-bottom lined cumulative impact assessment of basin-wide development scenarios under the MRC Council Study[2].

This report takes as its primary guidance the Inception Report of the Council Study[3]. Social assessment is included under Theme 7 of the Council Study. The Inception Report stipulates and elaborates the output of Theme 7 as a Report on the cumulative impacts and benefits of the selected water resources developments (Cumulative Report) including recommendations for impact avoidance and mitigation measures.

In addition, the approach and methodology set out in this report seeks to build upon earlier basin-wide assessment work undertaken by BDP in 2008-10 and more recent work, also by BDP, in developing the MRC Indicator Framework. The background to these and other relevant studies is described in the main report on approach and methodology for cumulative impact assessment of water resource development scenarios, to which this volume is appended.

Prior to preparing this report, discussions were held individually with members of other Thematic and Discipline teams of the Council Study in a series of meetings hosted by BDP. In addition, a mini-workshop was held on 24^th October 2015 to present preliminary ideas on the assessment approach. The workshop was attended by country delegates, Council Team management and BDP team members. Feedback from the workshop is reflected in this report of the MRC Council Study, Draft Final, 27 October 2014