Laos, World Bank agree to protect forests, reduce carbon emissions

The Lao government and the World Bank’s Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) has agreed to provide up to US$42 million in supporting the country’s efforts to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD+).
Under this Emission Reductions Payment Agreement (ERPA), the World Bank commits itself during 2021-2025 to making payments to the Lao PDR for verified reductions of up to 8.4 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions in northern Laos.

The programme aims to address the drivers and underlying causes of forest loss in six provinces of Huaphanh, Luang Prabang, Oudomxay, Luang Namtha, Bokeo, and, Xayaboury, encompassing a third of the nations territory.
The region has suffered 40 percent of the nationwide deforestation and forest degradation during 2005 to 2015.
“We are committed to improving land use, strengthening forest protection, and enhancing forest restoration in line with the 2019 Forestry Law, the 9th National Socio-Economic Development Plan for 2021-2025, and the National Green Growth Strategy to 2030,” said Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Mr Thongphat Vongmany.
“This is an opportunity to drive economic growth and resilience with more sustainable rural land use based on participatory and integrated planning.”
The geography of northern Laos is distinct, with over 20 ethnic groups calling this mountainous region their home. Limited accessibility and infrastructure in these remote areas play a role in preserving cultural heritage, but also pose challenges for job opportunities, transportation, access to social services, and the promotion of industry and trade.
Working across sectors, the Lao emissions reduction programme, entitled “Promoting REDD+ through Governance, Forest Landscapes and Livelihoods — Northern Laos”, supports better forest and land governance, land-use planning, livelihood development, and sustainable ecosystem management to reduce pressure on forests.
It also includes a benefit-sharing arrangement that will encourage communities and other stakeholders to participate.
“This innovative financing is part of the World Bank support that helps the Lao PDR manage its landscapes for greener and more resilient economic growth and recovery,” said World Bank Country Manager for Lao PDR, Mr Nicola Pontara. “This results-based funding will reduce emissions while benefiting people who depend on sustainable forests for their livelihoods.”
The Lao PDR is the third country in Asia, after Indonesia and Vietnam, and the ninth country worldwide to sign an ERPA with thethe World Bank’s FCPF. The total value of these nine agreements, which have also been made with Chile, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana and Mozambique, is nearly half a billion US dollars. Several other countries are expected to finalise their emission reductions programmes and follow suit with ERPA signings early this year.

By Times Reporters
(Latest Update January 28, 2021)