Environment, Natural Resource Management and Climate Change
The Lao PDR is blessed with abundant natural resources including extensive forest coverage (41.5% of the country), large natural water resources and significant mineral deposits.
Development in the country has been accompanied by expansion of investments in the natural resources sector, including agriculture, hydropower, mining and plantations. Furthermore, climate change and environmental issues including increasing incidences and severity of floods and droughts are having significant impacts.
While recognizing the benefits of natural resources development, the Government is working to ensure it is balanced with social and environmental considerations in order to provide sustainable livelihoods for generations to come, achieve the MDGs by 2015 and graduate from LDC status by 2020.
Achievements
To achieve this, the Water Resources and Environment Administration was established in 2007 as well as the National Environment Committee in 2008. The Government is also an active member of the Mekong River Commission.
Significant progress on environmental issues has been made in the Lao PDR during recent years. There is now in place a modern and fully updated EIA legislation, and the Government has issued National Environmental Standards, a National Policy on the Environmental and Social Sustainability of the Hydropower Sector in Lao PDR, the Decree on Establishment and Implementation of the National Environment Committees, and the Decree on Compensation and Resettlement of People Affected by Development of Projects.
The Strategy on Climate Change has been adopted by the Government, a thorough revision of the Environmental Protection Law is near completion, and a Decree on Operating Permits is under development.
Future directions
Future directions include moving towards quality and sustainability of development, integrating economic growth, social development, and sustainable environmental protection. An overarching goal is to ensure the sustainability of development with cultural and social progress, preserving natural resources and protecting the environment.
In order to achieve this, the Government is focusing on technology innovation, capacity building and institutional strengthening. Additionally, climate change strategies are being mainstreamed, including into poverty reduction programs.
Future targets
- Minimizing environmental impacts of development
- Pollution control measures including legislation and enforcement of permit requirements in respect of releasing pollutants
- Forest cover (at least 20% canopy density) is targeted at 65% of total land area by 2020
- Climate proofing sector development policies, strategies and plans
- Stopping “slash and burn” agriculture and enhance carbon sink by making sustainable agriculture and pursuing REDD+ mechanism (Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation plus) by implementing more reforestation and afforestation programs
- Accelerating development of renewable energy sources such as waste biomass or agricultural residues, solar and wind as well as hydropower
- Providing access to safe water and improved sanitation, implementing surveillance programmes to identify and respond to outbreaks of infectious diseases
- Raising public awareness, using local resources, appropriate governance arrangements and community participation
- Upgrading solid waste collection, recycling and disposal facilities and services for full coverage of the major urban centers
- Promoting environmentally sustainable urban development, integrating the issues of waste management, and low carbon transportation.