Distinguished guests co-chair the 2nd Lao PDR Climate Compatible Growth annual workshop at the Crowne Plaza Vientiane.

Laos makes strides on road to climate compatible growth

Members of Climate Compatible Growth networks gathered in Vientiane last week, aiming to support Laos to achieve its net zero goals by supporting evidence-based energy and transport policy development.
On January 25-26 the Climate Compatible Growth (CCG) programme and the National University of Laos (NUOL) held the 2nd Lao PDR CCG Annual Workshop at the Crowne Plaza Vientiane.
The CCG programme is a UK government-funded initiative that aims to support Laos in achieving its net zero goals by supporting evidence-based energy and transport policy development.

The Lao PDR CCG Network, led by NUOL, has been running since 2021. The CCG programme funds collaborative research projects and capacity building activities between Lao and UK experts that are aligned with the policy and research interests of Lao stakeholders.
The workshop showcased ongoing research and policy-facing activities within the Lao PDR CCG Network and brought together both academics and policymakers to explore how research and policy are supporting Laos’ green growth agenda.
Present at the workshop were representatives from the Ministry of Energy and Mines, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, and researchers from the various faculties of the National University of Laos. Representatives from international organisations were also present, including USAID, the New Zealand Renewable Energy Facility, the Global Green Growth Institute, and the Laos-Australia Sustainable Energy Partnership.
The workshop covered a range of interconnected themes, such as green financing, low-emission transport, energy system modelling, and material efficiency. Delegation members were given opportunities to engage with fellow members of the Lao PDR CCG Network, whilst also meeting potential future collaborators and connections.
The event was opened by the Vice President of NUOL, Assoc. Prof. Dr Dexanourath Seneduangdeth, and the British Ambassador to Laos, H.E. Mel Barlow, with further opening remarks provided by Prof. Adam Hawkes (Imperial College London, CCG) and Dr Lara Allen (Centre for Global Equality and University of Cambridge, CCG).
Subsequently, a plenary panel discussion on the opportunities and barriers for Laos achieving its green growth ambitions was held. Lao delegates representing MOIC, MEM and MONRE gave reflections on this topic.
In the afternoon, research presentations from six different Lao and UK-based research groups provided an overview of the exciting activities that are ongoing in the Lao PDR CCG Network. To close the day, the delegations split into sectoral working groups to begin designing new research projects that could support the Lao government in achieving its net zero ambitions.
On the second day, a panel discussion was held on how research and policy ecosystems can support the government. Research experts from the UK and Laos provided their perspectives, and discussed the importance of developing a unified, long-term vision for achieving sustainable growth in Laos. The delegations then split into collaborative breakout sessions to further develop their ideas for future research projects.
Looking ahead to next year, the Lao CCG Network would like to further develop the policy-facing research outputs which support (i) the government’s agenda for the ASEAN chairmanship within the energy sector; (ii) new and key low-emission policies; and (iii) the embedding of knowledge in both academic and governmental institutions.
Furthermore, the CCG programme will also be holding its first CCG Energy Modelling Platform for Asia-Pacific, which will be hosted in Hanoi, Vietnam, later this year, where Lao delegates will be invited to learn key skills in energy and transport systems modelling.

By Advertorial Desk
 (Latest Update January30, 2024)