Govt reaffirms 2050 net zero carbon emission target

The government has reaffirmed in its address to the National Assembly (NA) that Laos is on track to cut or significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
Addressing the ongoing 4th ordinary session of the NA’s 9th legislature, the government said there is considerable funding available to support climate adaptation programmes.
The country looks set to receive US$19 million in financial support in the near future and more later on from international financial institutions, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Bounkham Vorachit told lawmakers.
As much as US$10 million in grants is expected to be provided by the climate change fund, US$8 million from the global environment fund, and another US$1 million from the green climate fund.
“We also have the opportunity to submit project proposals for additional funding of US$100 million under [various international] conventions,” the minister said.
In addition, the 27th Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP27), which ended recently in Egypt, agreed to establish a new global fund to offset the damage caused by climate change to developing and least developed countries.
“This represents further potential for obtaining financial support,” she told the Assembly’s biannual session, which runs until December 30.
The government has attached great importance to and worked actively with the international community to define targets relating to greenhouse gas emissions – the main contributor to climate change.
Laos, a low greenhouse gas emitter, faces significant threats from climate change, in part because about 70 percent of its 7 million population depends on natural resources for their livelihoods.
Natural disasters such as floods and droughts have significantly impacted agriculture, forestry, water resources, health, and the country’s economic growth, according to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Therefore, these areas have been prioritised for climate change adaptation programmes.
Efforts to fulfil targets on cutting carbon emissions have have been incorporated into the government’s national socio-economic development plan.
A decree on climate change was adopted, according to minister Bounkham.
The National Adaptation Programme of Action to Climate Change and the National Strategy on Climate Change 2030 were also amended.
Steps have been taken to meet the goals of these documents, which serve as guidelines on the path to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050, Ms Bounkham said.
Central and local authorities have re-surveyed and reviewed 148 districts in 18 provinces to determine their vulnerability to climate change in an attempt to formulate adaptation programmes.
Laos joined the Paris Agreement on Climate Change in 2016, becoming the first country from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) to ratify the agreement.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update December 19, 2022)