Partner Report Series No 6 Scoping Assessment of Climate Change Adaptation Priorities in the Lao PDR EcoLao REGIONAL CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATIONKNOWLEDGEPLATFORM for Asia The Partner Report Series highlights the insights and outcomes of studies, assessments and other field activities that our national implementing partners have undertaken in their countries to mainstream adaptation into plans, policies and programmes. The intention of the series is to disseminate their findings to partners and relevant professionals in Asia. We welcome suggestions or comments. Suggested citation: EcoLao (2012). Scoping Assessment of Climate Change Adaptation Priorities in the Lao PDR. Regional Climate Change Adaptation Knowledge Platform for Asia, Partner Report Series No. 6. Stockholm Environment Institute, Bangkok. Available online at www.asiapacificadapt.net or www.weADAPT.org. About the author EcoLao is a Lao-owned Rural Development Contractor registered with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry for the provision and management of Lao counterpart technical services in rural development management; natural resources management; environmental, ecological and social impact management; and geographically based district and provincial development planning. Disclaimer The views or opinions expressed in this document belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of SEI, the Adaptation Knowledge Platform, partners or donors. Copyright SEI and AKP 2012 Front Cover: Photo Credit: Roengchai Kongmuang Back Cover: Photo Credit: Roengchai Kongmuang How to obtain the digital copy: This publication can be electronically downloaded from www.asiapacificadapt.net or weADAPT.org. This digital publication may be reproduced in whole or in part and in any form for educational or non-profit purposes without special permission from the copyright holder, provided acknowledgement of the source is made. The Regional Climate Change Adaptation Knowledge Platform for Asia would appreciate receiving a copy of any publication that uses this report as a reference. ii Contents Preface vi Executive summary 1 1. Introduction 3 2. About Lao PDR 4 3. Climate Change Hazards and Adaptation in Lao PDR 5 Climate change projections 5 How well can Lao PDR adapt to climate change? 6 Additional recommended measures 7 Floods 7 Droughts 8 Forest fires 8 Other major risks 8 4. Climate Change Hazards and Adaptation in Lao PDR 9 Relevant institutions and their mandates 9 National Agricultural and Forestry Research Institute (NAFRI) 9 The International Centre for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) 9 Department of Planning, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) 10 Faculty of Forestry, National University of Laos 10 Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) 10 Department of Irrigation (DoI), MAF 10 National Agriculture and Forestry Extension Service (NAFES), MAF 10 Department of Forestry (DoF), MAF 11 Department of Livestock & Fisheries (DLF), MAF 11 Provincial and district agricultural and forestry offices 11 Vocational agricultural and forestry colleges 11 World Food Programme (WFP) 11 Current state of knowledge on adaptation 12 Key agriculture and forestry development needs 12 Research priorities 13 Legal and policy issues 13 iii 5. Institutions and Policies Review: Natural Resources Sector 14 Relevant institutions and their mandates 14 Ministry of Natural Resources & Environment (MoNRE) 14 International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Lao PDR Country Office 14 Current state of knowledge on adaptation 15 Key development needs 15 Research priorities 16 Legal and policy issues 16 6. Institutions and Policies Review: Water Resources Sector 16 Relevant institutions and their mandates 16 Department of Water Resources (DWR), Ministry of Natural Resources & Environment (MoNRE) 16 International Water Management Institute (IWMI) – Southeast Asia Regional Office 17 Lao National Mekong Committee (LNMC) 17 Mekong River Commission (MRC) 17 Current state of knowledge regarding adaptation 17 Key development needs 18 Research priorities 18 Policy issues 18 7. Institutions and policies review: Energy Sector 19 Relevant institutions and their mandates 19 Department of Electricity (now Department of Renewable Energy), Ministry of Energy and Mines (MEM) 19 Current state of knowledge on adaptation 19 Research priorities 19 8. Institutions and Policies Review: Infrastructure 20 Relevant institutions and their mandates 20 Public Works and Transport Institute, Ministry of Public Works and Transport (Environmental and Social Division) 20 Current state of knowledge on adaptation 20 9. Institutions and Policies Review: Public Health Sector 21 Relevant institutions and their mandates 21 Environmental Health Division, Department of Hygiene and Prevention, Ministry of Health 21 Current state of knowledge on adaptation 21 iv 10. Institutions and Policies Review: Disaster Response and Risk Reduction 22 Relevant institutions and their mandates 22 National Disaster Management Office (NDMO), Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare (now Department of National Disaster Management and Climate Change, MoNRE) 22 Department of Meteorology & Hydrology (DMH), Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment 22 Current state of knowledge on adaptation 23 11. Institutions and Policies Review: Climate Change Adaptation (Cross-Sectoral) 24 Relevant institutions and their mandates 24 Climate Change Office, Ministry of Natural Resources & Environment (MoNRE), now Department of National Disaster Management and Climate Change 24 Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) 24 Environment Unit (Climate Change Policy), UNDP 25 Climate Change and Adaptation Initiative (CCAI), Mekong River Commission 25 Current state of knowledge on adaptation 25 Policy issues 26 12. Mechanisms and Policies Concerning Climate Change Adaptation 26 13. Strategy for Building Capacity to Undertake Adaptation 27 Key target audiences for capacity-building 28 Affected communities 28 Government and extension workers 28 National academia 28 Types of capacity to be built 28 14. Recommendations for an AKP Strategy for Lao PDR 29 References 30 Cited in text 30 Government documents reviewed 31 Additional documents consulted 31 Annex: Some recent developments in climate change adaptation in Laos 32 v Preface During the last three years, the Regional Climate Change Adaptation Knowledge Platform (AKP) has worked towards building bridges between existing knowledge on adaptation to climate change and the governments, agencies and communities that need this knowledge to inform their adaptation to the impacts of climate change, while working to reduce poverty and sustain the environment. AKP’s work has been carried out following three key objectives: 1. Promoting dialogue and improving the exchange of knowledge, information and methods within and between countries on climate change adaptation, and linking existing and emerging networks and initiatives. 2. Generating new climate change adaptation knowledge, promoting understanding and providing guidance relevant to the development and implementation of national and regional climate change adaptation policy, plans and processes focused on reducing vulnerability and strengthening the resilience of the poor and women: the most vulnerable segments of society in most Asian countries. 3. Synthesizing existing and new climate change adaptation knowledge and facilitating its application in sustainable development and poverty reduction practices at the local, national and regional levels. This publication is a result of these objectives. AKP supported thirteen countries in the Asian region to strengthen their capabilities to mainstream adaptation, introduce effective adaptation measures and assess their needs and priorities for adaptation. Lao PDR is one of the thirteen countries. This publication highlights the results of the scoping assessment conducted in the Lao PDR to identify the country’s adaptation needs and priorities. This scoping assessment was conducted by EcoLao, a Lao-owned Rural Development Contractor. AKP is implemented by the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), AIT’s Regional Resource Centre for Asia and the Pacific (AIT RRCAP), and the United Nations Environment Program Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (UNEP ROAP) with funding provided by the Swedish Government through the Royal Swedish Embassy in Bangkok and the Swedish International Development Agency (Sida). The former Swedish Environmental Secretariat for Asia (SENSA) was also instrumental in setting up and supporting AKP. AKP’s publications provide insights on adaptation in the region. A consolidated initiative, known as the Asia Pacific Adaptation Network (APAN), has been established and will be fully implemented starting in 2013. Its ultimate objective is to assist the region in building the climate resilience of human systems, ecosystems and economies through the mobilization of knowledge and best practices, enhanced institutional capacity, informed decision making processes, and facilitated access to finance and technologies. The outcomes of AKP have been made possible by the active participation of partners and various stakeholders. SEI acknowledges the editorial assistance provided by Marion Davis and Skye Turner-Walker. SEI also expresses heartfelt thanks to John Soussan, Lailai Li, Kai Kim Chiang, Lisa Schipper, Sabita Thapa, Tatirose Vijitpan, Muanpong Juntopas, Nantiya Tangwisutijit, Chanthy Sam, and Dusita Krawanchid for their contributions to AKP. Photo Credit: Roengchai Kongmuang vi Executive Summary