This guide attempts to summarize the strongest social and environmental standards related to dam building. It discusses options for civil society to use standards in order to advocate for stronger practices to be implemented by government ministries, dam financiers, and dam builders. The guide takes the position that the most effective standards are those that safeguard the rights of dam-affected people, avoid risks, and allow the public to hold dam builders and financiers accountable. Such a rights-based approach to dam standards is based on national and international laws and covenants, and is distinguished from from other approaches which may not recognize the inherent rights of dam-affected people. These approaches may include developing policies of corporate social responsibility, adhering to voluntary guidelines, or implementing project audits.