Online Library
Building Capacity for Land Use Change Modeling (2014–2017)
Land use is constantly changing in the Greater Mekong Subregion. At the same time, land use planning processes are often poorly informed, risking decisions that may lead to social and environmental costs that outweigh intended benefits.
Workshop: GMS Land-Use Change Modeling Network
This workshop brought together members of the GMS land-use change modeling network to share project results and develop proposals for future work.
Workshop: Designing Development Scenarios for Land-use Modeling
Information on how future development may unfold is essential for land use change modeling.
Regional Knowledge Sharing Event on Transboundary Biodiversity Landscape Management in the GMS
Senior environment and forestry officials from Yunnan and Guangxi met with representatives from the other five GMS countries to exchange experiences and lessons from biodiversity conservation work in transboundary landscapes.
Eco-driving to Reduce Freight GHG Emissions in the GMS
Truck drivers from over 100 freight companies in Lao PDR, Thailand, and Viet Nam have undergone eco-driving training as the Green Freight Initiative tests ways to lessen the environmental impacts of freight transport in the GMS.
SEA Support for Land Use Planning in Viet Nam (2015-2016)
Viet Nam’s 10-year Land Use Plans undergo revisions every 5 years, a process led by the Ministry of Natural Resource and Environment (MONRE).
Integrated Energy Planning (2015–2016)
Growing demand for energy goes hand-in-hand with rapid economic development. Since 2005, GDP per capita in the GMS has increased 260% while electricity consumption has nearly doubled. As their economies continue to rapidly grow, all six countries need to utilize additional energy resources to meet increasing domestic demand. In addition, Lao PDR and Myanmar view energy exports as a major economic opportunity.
SEA Support for Socioeconomic Development Planning (2015–2016)
Under Viet Nam’s 2011 Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) decree, development plans of five years duration or more, including socioeconomic development plans (SEDP), are required to undergo an SEA. However, implementation of the decree is still relatively weak, with technical SEA capacity one of the major constraints.
Multisector Planning for Sustainable Development (2015–2016)
Development planning in the GMS is often fragmented, with ministries and sectors lacking the capacity, tools, or incentives to work together to meet sustainable development goals. When competing for the same natural resources, implementing one sector plan is often to the detriment of another. As a result, resource allocation can become inefficient, costly, and ultimately unsustainable.
Capacity support for pollution modeling (2013-2016)
The industrial sectors of Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Myanmar are rapidly growing and are helping drive economic development. For example, in Lao PDR, industry has doubled its proportion of national Gross Domestic Product during the past decade (12% to 25%). While the expansion of pulp industries including paper mills, cement factories, food processing and garment manufacturing, are providing new jobs and economic benefits, there are increasing concerns over industrial pollution, particularly on water and land quality.
Training workshop: Transport, Energy Use and Climate Change in the GMS
Overview
This training is a five-day intensive program designed to enhance understanding of energy and transport practitioners on issues and challenges which arise from climate change. It is a collaborative learning program in partnership with GMS Phnom Penh Plan (PPP) for Development Management.
Workshop on Ecosystem-based Approaches to Biodiversity Conservation
The Core Environment Program (CEP) supported Viet Nam’s Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources to host the regional workshop: “Mainstreaming ecosystem-based approaches to climate change into biodiversity conservation planning in Viet Nam.”
PPP Training on Environmental Safeguards for Transport and Energy in the GMS
This 5-day training program aimed to provide planners and environmental assessment practitioners with the concepts, tools and approaches to systematically integrate environmental safeguards into the transport and energy sectors of the GMS Economic Cooperation Program.
Myanmar Environmental Safeguards Knowledge Sharing Workshop
Background
If current reforms in Myanmar continue, ADB estimates the country’s economy could expand by 7-8% per year. While this will greatly assist poverty reduction efforts, a major challenge for the country will be balancing economic growth with environmental sustainability – particularly as growth will be largely supported by the country’s rich endowment of natural resources.
Phnom Penh Plan Environment Trainings for Senior Officials
The Phnom Penh Plan (PPP) is a regional program for capacity development under the Human Resource Department Strategy of the GMS Economic Cooperation Program. It is designed to help develop a core group of motivated development leaders and managers to manage the complex and challenging GMS development agenda.
GIS Tools Training
Geographic Information System (GIS) tools can help to identify potential environmental risks, impacts and opportunities associated with economic development plans. CEP has been mainstreaming the use GIS tools in the subregion, including through targeted training programs.
International Conference on GMS 2020
A major international conference, "GMS 2020: Balancing Economic Growth and Environmental Sustainability," was held by CEP in February 2012 in Bangkok,Thailand. The conference benchmarked GMS economic growth between 2001 and 2010 and its impact on environmental and social development as well as provided an outlook for the next decade.
Strategic Environment Assessments and Safeguards Application in Transport and Energy Sector Planning in the Greater Mekong Subregion
The Strategic Environment Assessments and Safeguards Application in Transport and Energy Sector Planning in the Greater Mekong Subregion is a five-day intensive program designed to provide opportunities for enhanced understanding and awareness on how environmental planning...