Laos
Lao PDR Country Profile (World Bank)
Status under International Climate Change Law
- UNFCCC: ratification (04 Jan. 1995) and date of entry into force (04 April 1995)
- KP: ratification (06 Feb. 2003) and date of entry into force (16 April 2005)
o Quantified emission limitation or reduction commitment: NA
- Vienna Convention: Accession (21 Aug. 1998)
- Montreal Protocol: LRTAP: Accession (21 Aug. 1998)
- Energy Charter: NA
- Energy Efficiency Protocol: NA
- Espoo Convention: NA
- 2025 Commitment: Share of renewable energy to 30% of energy consumption by 2025
- INDC summary – includes LULUCF and gases covered (Center for Climate and Energy Solutions 2015)
- INDC summary – includes adaptation and conditions for implementation (Climate Policy Observer 2016)
Federal Laws on Climate Change
Air protection
- Ministerial Decision No. 7858/MONRE on the Ozone Depleting Substances Management (2012) [English] – decision that regulates import, export, transit, distribution, and utilization of Ozone Depleting Substances
- Regulation No. 2358/STEA-PMO on Control of Imports, exports and Consumption of Ozone Depleting Substances (2004) [English] – earlier regulation on Ozone Depleting Substances
Energy
- Law on Electricity (1997) [English] – establishing rules and regulations for the electricity industry, including government investment in hydropower and regulation of the import/export of energy resources
- Law on Minerals (2011) [English] – revises the original Law of Minerals and includes principles and regulatory measures for mineral mining operations, with respect for environmental sustainability
- Decree No. 90/PM on Export of Mining Products (2008) [English] – regulating the export of Mining Products
- Regulation No. 1116/MEM on Sending Mining Samples for Testing (2010) [English] – regulating the testing of mining sample with the goal of coordinating management of local and international testing
- Decision No. 0352/MEM on Import and Export Licensing Procedures of Minerals and Mineral Products (2012) [English]
- Decision No. 0481/ME on selling and buying Mines [Ores] and Mining Products (2012) [English]
Forests and Land Use
- Land Law (2003) [English – framework legislation that provides for the management of various types of land, including forestry and agricultural land
- Law on Urban Plans (1999) [English] – determines principles, regulations and measures regarding the management, land use, construction and building of structures at national and local levels to ensure conformity with policies and laws, aiming at urban development to meet the direction of the national socioeconomic development plan (from the text itself)
- Forests
o Forest Law (2007) [English] – Creating categories of forests (protection, production, and conservation) and promoting sustainable management, preservation, development, and utilization of forest resources
o Regulation on the approval procedure for proposed Clean Development Mechanism (CDM)(2007) [English] – regulatory document approving the Clean Development Mechanism as part of the REDD Programme on deforestation
o Council of Ministers Decree No. 117/CCM on the Management and Use of Forests and Forested Land (1989) [English] – Early forest conservation Decree allowing for privatization of certain forested lands provided that owners “preserve, manage, maintain, rehabilitate forests”
- Agriculture
o Law on Agriculture (1998) [English] – Establishing broad principles and regulations for the agricultural sector
o Decision No. 1666/MAF of the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry on Organic Agriculture Standards (2005) [English] – Setting government Organic Agriculture Standards to promote natural practices and energy conservation in agriculture
- Water Laws
o Water and Water Resource Law (1996) [English] – Framework legislation on water management. As part of the act, water is owned by the people of Laos as a whole
o Regulations on the Management and Use of Irrigation systems in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (1993) [English]
Environmental Protection and Impact Assessment
- Environmental Protection Law (1999) [English] – General environmental legislation focusing on sustainable socio-economic development, maintaining biodiversity, and controlling pollution
- Decree on Environmental Impact Assessment (2010) [English] – defining principles and rules, and adopting measures on establishment, functions, management and monitoring of environmental impact assessment
Other
- Wildlife and Aquatic Law (2007) [English] – provides principles and regulation to encourage conservation, protection, and sustainable regeneration of wildlife and aquatic animals
- Fisheries Law (2009) [English] – establishes property rights and regulations for sustainable management of fisheries
Law of Standards (2007) [English] – Providing for overarching regulatory scheme for a variety of industries, which includes consideration of environmental issues.
o Decree No. 234/GoL on the Implementation of the Law on Standardization (2012) [English] – Implementing and clarifying the Law of Standards (above)
National Plans, Programs and Initiatives
- National Strategy on Climate Change (2010) [Lao and English] – This framework document lays the groundwork for Laos’ climate adaptation plan, identifying seven key areas of concern, including agriculture and food security; forestry and land use change; water resources; energy and transport; industry; urban development; and public health
- Adaptations Partnership (2011) [English] – Outlining climate change adaptation efforts that Laos has undertaken, primarily with international support
- Seventh Five-Year National Socio-Economic Development Plan (2011-2015) [English] – Overarching government planning document discussing economic growth targets. This document discusses the goal of economic development within the confines of mitigating climate change
- National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA) (2009) [English]
- The Lao PDR Global Climate Change Alliance Programme (GCCA) (2012)
- Addressing ecosystem challenges through support to the Mekong River Commission’s Climate Change and Adaptation Initiative (CCAI) (Global Climate Change Alliance) (2012)
Local, State, and Regional Legislation and Initiatives
- Local Climate Living Adaptive Living Facility (LoCAL) (Global Climate Change Alliance) (2013)
- Agreement of Long Kone Quarter on the Natural Resources Use Management (1995) [English] – local agreement that provides for resource management of things such as wild animals, forests, and potable water
- Agreement on the cooperation for the sustainable development of the Mekong River Basin (1995) [English] – regional agreement between Laos, Cambodia, Viet Nam, and Thailand on sustainable development of the Mekong River Basin
Government Documents
- Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) [English]
- First National Communication to the UNFCCC (2000) [English]
- Second National Communication to the UNFCCC (2013) [English]
Additional Resources
- Laos Country Profile (US Energy Information Administration)
- Lao PDR Country Profile (United Nations Statistics Division)
- REDD in Laos (The REDD Desk) – Laos is a participant in the REDD Programme and has approved procedures on the Clean Development Mechanism project. See above for regulation approval document
- Meenawat, Harsha. Adapting to climate change in Laos: challenges and opportunities (2011) (TERI information Digest on Energy and Environment, 497-504)
Updated as of: 12 March, 2015