Laos overview and database

Date:	November, 2011
Authors:	Unna Chokkalingam
Publication Type:	Database
Details:	REDD desk country database prepared by Forest Carbon Asia. http://www.theredddesk.org/countries/laos

 

Laos has been participating in the international REDD negotiation process under the UNFCCC since 2007 and recently started using multilateral negotiating blocks such as the ASEAN, G-77 and China, and LDC to support and push for an agreement on REDD. Laos’ Climate Change Strategy, National Socio-Economic Development Plan 2011-15, the Agricultural Development Strategy 2011-20 and the Agricultural Master Plan 2011-15 all indicate Laos’ interest in carbon market mechanisms and REDD+. The forestry and land use sector has been identified as the biggest greenhouse gas emitter in Laos and also holds the largest mitigation potential while promising environmental and socio-economic benefits at the same time. The government’s goal is to increase forest cover to 70 percent by 2020 and use REDD+ and other mechanisms to achieve that goal. Laos aims to use fund-based mechanisms in the short-term and allow participation in the voluntary market, but will use compliance markets in the longer term when international protocols have been agreed. 

 

Laos is actively preparing itself for REDD+ implementation with support from the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF), the Forest Investment Program (FIP), other bilateral and multilateral donor projects and INGO initiatives. Laos became one of the first 14 member countries of the FCPF in July 2008 and its REDD Readiness Preparation Proposal (R-PP) was completed and accepted by the FCPF Secretariat in late 2011. FCPF will start implementation activities in 2012. The FIP has selected Lao PDR as a pilot country and the FIP investment plan was approved by the FIP sub-committee at its meeting on 31 October 2011 with some minor comments to be addressed. The Department of Forestry, World Bank, Asian Development Bank and the International Finance Corporation will coordinate FIP implementation. Further funding will be provided under the FIP Dedicated Grant Mechanism to support indigenous and community participation in FIP programs.

 

Various other bilateral and multilateral donor programs provide substantial financial and technical support to Lao PDR’s REDD+ readiness development. Major programs include the Climate Protection through Avoided Deforestation (CliPAD) Program, three programs supported by the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the Sustainable Forestry and Rural Development (SUFORD) Project and the regional Lowering Emission in Asia’s Forests (LEAF) program. There are also numerous sub-national activities which include one afforestation-reforestation project in the CDM pipeline and numerous REDD+ feasibility studies and pilots initiated by donor projects, INGOs and the private sector at project, village and provincial levels.

 

The Laos REDD country database outlines the background situation, the institutions, the legal framework of the country, plans and policies, activities and financing options related to forest carbon/ REDD. The database also summarises developments relating to the following elements of REDD:

• Management and coordination
• Stakeholder engagement and participation
• Rights and tenure
• Compliance (incentives and enforcement)
• Reference level
• Safeguards
• MRV

 

Please click here to view the Laos database.

 

Keywords: Asia, carbon stocks, deforestation drivers, FCPF, forest assessment, forest carbon, home gardens, land tenure, Lao PDR, Laos, REDD, REDDplus

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