Low Carbon News in Laos in January 2015
8 Jan 15
Climate change study to chew over food security impacts
Exposure to climate risks seriously threatens food security and livelihoods, particularly of small-scale farmers in Laos and other Asian countries. The information was revealed at a workshop regarding the effects of climate change on small scale farmers in Laos held in Vientiane. A study will been launched aiming to determine the impacts of the changing climate on rice production, plus its availability and accessibility, that can guide local policy actions to mitigate such impacts on food security and the livelihoods of smallscale farmers in the country. The impact of climate change in agriculture, however, is expected to be multifaceted. Attendees at the seminar also learnt about predicted climate change to the country in 2030 including an increased average temperature of 0.79 degrees centigrade and higher rainfall by 200 mm, predominately by rain intensity, according to the weather scenario. Without significant improvement in the living standards of small farmers the country will not achieve its socio-economic development goals.
Newspapers/vientianetimes/2015-01-08.pdf
13 Jan 15
Asean holds talks on future energy cooperation roadmap
Senior energy officials from Asean met in Vientiane to discuss a cooperation roadmap with energy efficiency, renewable energy and nuclear energy dominating the discussions.
Director General of the Energy Policy and Planning Department Dr Daovong Phonekeo said the meeting would track the progress of the development of the Asean Plan of Action on Energy Cooperation (APAEC) for 2016-2020 and review the implementation of the APAEC for 2010-2015. The meeting entrusted a working group to assess how the current remarkable drop in petrol pricing was impacting Asean efforts on the promotion of the efficient use of energy and renewable energy use.
The meeting would also share information on how nuclear reaction is used to produce electricity as well as its advantages and disadvantages. Cooperation activities with dialogue partners including the Asean plus three countries [China, Japan and the Republic of Korea], Japan, European Union, Russia, United States, and the International Energy Agency will also be discussed.
Newspapers/vientianetimes/2015-01-13.pdf
26 January 15
EDL upgrades electricity meters for more accuracy
Electricite Du Laos (EDL) is piloting a scheme in which digital meters are installed in households and businesses so that a more accurate calculation of electricity consumption is obtained. once the new digital meters are installed it will address such issues as inaccurate note taking and calculation of electricity bills because because consumers can easily check by comparing the amount of electricity consumed as noted on the previous bill with the figure shown on the meter. About 1,000 digital meters have been installed in districts across Vientiane under the pilot scheme and have proved to be effective.
Newspapers/vientianetimes/2015-01-26.pdf
30 January 15
UK shares energy use, emissions decision-making tool
The British Embassy in Vientiane is partnering with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to build awareness within the Lao government of a UK methodology to aid policy decision-making on energy and reduce emissions causing climate change. Ministry officials, specifically from the Department of Disaster Management and Climate Change, attended a workshop in Vientiane on Tuesday on the 2050 Energy and Emissions Calculator and Global Climate Change Project. The workshop introduced the 2050 Energy Pathway Calculator, an interactive web-based computer model that enables users to experiment with the many different ways of reducing emissions. The meeting aimed to help Lao officials better understand the use of the web-based 2050 Calculator to assist energy use and emissions reduction decision-making.
Developed by the UK’s Department of Energy and Climate Change, as part of UK efforts to reduce her own emissions by at least 80 percent by 2050, relative to 1990 levels, the 2050 Calculator allows policy-makers and others to see the emissions scenarios caused by policy decisions in key sectors like energy, transport, industry and agriculture. This provides an understanding of the choices and policies necessary to achieve a balance between longterm emissions reductions and energy security. Funding from the UK International Climate Fund (ICF) has supported the start of 2050 Energy Pathway Calculator projects in several Asean countries, including Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia.
Newspapers/vientianetimes/2015-01-30.pdf