Low Carbon News in Laos in August 2014
9 August 14
Laos to promote energy potential
Laos will use the 32rd Asean Ministers on Energy Meeting (AMEM) to promote the potential it has for energy development, particularly hydropower plants and hydropower connectivity within the region. AMEM is an Asean mechanism for strengthening energy cooperation to address major energy challenges and ensure a secure and reliable energy supply in the region. Laos is a leader in Asean regarding the export of electricity generated by hydropower plants. Laos has expanded its high voltage power grid to Vietnam, China, Cambodia and Thailand and will extend to other Asean countries in the future. The upcoming Asean Ministers on Energy Meeting will also be a platform for Laos to negotiate and sign contracts on energy trade with member states and dialogue partners
Newspapers/vientianetimes/2014-08-29.pdf
Vientiane province considers solar streetlights
Vientiane province administration may consider installing solar powered street lighting along roads in its new capital if the system works well and helps the authorities to save money.
This scheme was introduced by TiengKham Electricity Company. A new technique can help save at least 5 percent of power for street lighting using energy from the hydropower grid, while also offering high durability. Each set included a pole, lamp, generator, solar cell panel and controller. Electricity generated by solar cells is counted as green renewable energy that can he installed without environmental impact. In addition, the solar energy system will not pose a fire risk. However, government official from the province’s Department of Energy and Mines expressed the concerns including high initial investment cost, maintenance issues, the limited brightness compared to those powered by the hydropower grid, the purchase of spare parts to replace broken ones. The province administration has yet to decide and assigned for result from further study.
Source Newspapers/vientianetimes/2014-08-29.pdf
27 August 14
Asean nations work to strengthen environmental protection
The 25th Meeting of Asean Senior Officials on the Environment (ASOEN) which is being held at the Landmark Riverside in Vientiane from August 26-28, aims to contribute to the implementation of the ASCC Blueprint by playing a role in promoting environmental protection and sustainable development. Vice Chairperson of the 25th ASOEN meeting is the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment of Laos said the Government of Laos had emphasized the wise management of its natural resources, specifically forest and water resource management, including the promulgation of the Decree on Forest Protection and the revised Environment Protection Law. The existing Forest Resource Strategy and law is also under revision and expected to be approved by the year 2014.
Newspapers/vientianetimes/2014-08-27.pdf
25 August 14
Laos receives a grant to strengthen forest protection management
The Lao government and the World Bank signed a grant agreement amounting to US$3.6 million provided by the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility. The grant aims to support the government in developing a national strategy for the reduction of deforestation and forest degradation. Laos is already experiencing the negative impacts of climate change and loss of forests, according to the Worldbank. The grant will support the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and other stakeholders to improve sustainable forest management
Newspapers/vientianetimes/2014-08-25.pdf
23 August 14
National Assembly identifies problems in natural resource sector
At the recently organized training workshop “Process of National Planning, Public and Private Investment Approvals and Environmental and Social Impact Assessments” in Vientiane, representative from Laos National Assembly (NA) said the NA observed that Laos has approved many projects particularly those related to mining, hydropower, industrial tree plantations and agriculture sectors, with some of these investments not operating in accordance to the laws and regulations of the country.
Laos has realized impressive economic growth of over 7 percent annual GDP growth and almost halved poverty rates during the past two decades. Economic growth is driven largely by high inflows of foreign direct investment mainly into the natural resource sectors. Thus the workshop is important to provide the NA with a much deeper understanding of investment approvals and management processes in Laos. The NA staff was also given opportunity to share their experiences on the management of investment with technical ministries
Newspapers/vientianetimes/2014-08-23.pdf
21 August 14
Lao environment and social project to kick off
The World Bank has committed to provide an additional US$15 million for the second Lao environment and social project (LEnS2) for a period of seven years (2014-2021). The project preparation will be completed by the end of 2014 and the implementation will start by 2015, according to a recent report from the Environment Protection Fund (EPF)’s official.
The EPF’s projects include waste management, protection forestry management, watershed management, pollution and river basin management plus other related priority activities.
Newspapers/vientianetimes/2014-08-21.pdf
20 August 14
NAFRI and WWF-Laos extend sustainable rattan project
The National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute (NAFRI) and World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF-Laos) signed a memorandum of understanding over the Sustainable Rattan Production and Harvesting Project Phase 4 on 22nd August in Vientiane. This fourth phase will run for three years from 2014-2017 with funding provided by IKEA and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) at a value of US$579,790.
The implementation of phase 4 aims to follow the success gained from the first, second and third phases while continuing to solve problems and challenges faced in the previous phases
Newspapers/vientianetimes/2014-08-20.pdf
15 August 14
Small firms, hydropower and mining receive World Bank financing
The Laos government and the World Bank Group have signed two new agreements with the international financier to extend funding of almost US$40 million to the small enterprise, mining and hydropower sectors. The new support includes a US$10 million in credit from the International Development Association and at least US$4 million from the International Finance Corporation in risk sharing funds.
The hydropower and mining sectors are core drivers of economic growth in Laos. The government of Laos recognizes the private sector development is very important in this aspect. However the most challenging issue hindering the development of sound and competitive SMEs is access to finance. The project aims to provide long term credit to small firms and help them to grow and create more jobs in the economy.
Newspapers/vientianetimes/2014-08-15.pdf
4 August 14
MONRE plans climate ready development in Laos
A workshop organized early August centered on the theme “mainstreaming climate change adaptation into development in Laos,” chaired by Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE) in cooperation with the Asia Development Bank and the Nordic Development Fund.
Laos has experienced an increase of unexpected and extreme weather conditions such as flood and droughts every year which are affecting sectors such as agriculture that many Lao people’s lives depends upon. Integrating climate concerns into development requires capacity strengthening of stakeholders at various levels and practical development.
Laos has launched the “Capacity enhancement for coping with climate change” project which touched on planning, finance institutional arrangements, training and awareness at national levels. The project also facilitated the implementation of pilot activities in four provinces of the country.
Newspapers/vientianetimes/2014-08-04.pdf