Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDC), 30 September 2015.

Lao PDR has a long term goal for national development which is set out in the 8th Five Year National Socio-economic Plan (2016-2020), with a Vision to 2030. According to this vision, the goal is for Lao PDR to make the transition from a Least Developed Country (LDC) to a middle income country by 2030 supported by inclusive, stable and sustainable economic growth whilst alleviating poverty. Lao PDR recognises the strong link between economic development, sustainability and the need to mainstream environmental considerations, including action on climate change into its development plans. The Climate Change and Disaster Law is being developed and the overarching legal framework for climate change and disaster management is provided in the law. The law is expected to be approved in 2017. The National Strategy on Climate Change (NSCC) of Lao PDR was approved in early 2010, and states a vision on how to address climate change: secure a future where Lao PDR is capable of mitigating and adapting to changing climatic conditions in a way that promotes sustainable economic development, reduces poverty, protects public health and safety, enhances the quality of Lao PDR’s natural environment, and advances the quality of life for all Lao People.
Lao PDR is highly climate-vulnerable, and the country’s greenhouse (GHG) emissions and has ambitious plans to reduce its GHG emissions while at the same time increasing its resilience to the negative impacts of climate change. Examples of such plans include the following: an ambitious target is set out in the National Forestry Strategy to the Year 2020 for increasing forest cover to a total of 70% of land area by 2020, and maintaining it at that level going forward. This will reduce the risk of floods and prevent land degradation, yet at the same time the greenhouse gas mitigation potential of such a target is substantial and long lasting. In terms of Lao PDR’s large scale electricity generation, the electricity grid draws on renewable resources for almost 100% of its output. Lao PDR also aims at utilising unexploited hydropower resources to export clean electricity to its neighbours. By supplying neighbouring countries such as: Cambodia, Viet Nam, Thailand and Singapore with hydroelectricity, Lao PDR is enabling other countries in South East Asia to develop and industrialise in a sustainable manner. The Government of Lao PDR has also laid the foundations for the implementation a renewable energy strategy that aims to increase the share of small scale renewable energy to 30% of total energy consumption by 2030.
Lao PDR is committed to the implementation of its NCCS and its sectoral climate change action plans, for the national, regional and global benefit. However, it will require technical and financial support to deliver the mitigation and adaptation actions identified herein. With such support, the NCCS will be most efficiently implemented, the potential GHG reductions identified will be optimised, and Lao PDR can most effectively adapt to the negative and immediate effects of climate change. Lao PDR’s economy is already experiencing the impacts of climate change, and the majority of population remains highly vulnerable to climate hazards in particular floods and droughts. This is because Lao PDR’s economy and over 70% of population depends on natural resources for their livelihoods and to ensure food security. Increasing climate resilience with respect to agriculture is therefore a high priority especially food security.
Lao PDR has identified a number of actions which it intends to undertake in order reduce its future GHG emissions, subject to the provision of international support. These are outlined in Table 1 together with preliminary estimates of the projected emissions reductions which will occur as a result. These estimates have been drawn from a variety of sources and need to be reviewed and updated to address consistency and accuracy in analytical methods once more reliable data and information are available. Details of the mitigation actions, implementation plans and support needs are outlined in Section 4 and Annex 1 respectively.
Lao PDR intends to balance its need for development without compromising its environment. For climate change adaptation this translates into the following goals which are articulated in the NSCC: Increase resilience of key economic sectors and natural resources to climate change and its impacts; Enhance cooperation, strong alliances and partnerships with national stakeholders and international partners to achieve national development goals; Improve public awareness and understanding of various stakeholders about climate change, vulnerabilities and impacts in order to increase stakeholder willingness to take actions.