The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) received a grant funding from the NDC Partnership on 22 April 2022. The grant supported the Government of Lao PDR, led by the former Department of Climate Change, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE), in laying down a strategic direction and monitoring framework for the implementation of the second NDC during 2021 – 2025. The focus areas included climate change mitigation and adaptation across key vulnerable sectors. The project was composed of two main activities as follows:

– Readiness assessment for public works and transport sector to transition to low carbon and climate resilient development pathway and;

– Greenhouse gas emission projections training and NDC Implementation Plan development.

In 2021, the former Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE), on behalf of the Government of Lao PDR (GoL), submitted an enhanced Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to the UNFCCC. The updated NDC included an ambitious target of net zero emissions by 2050, as well as sectoral targets across both mitigation and adaptation. With the enhanced NDC completed and submitted, the GoL paid their close attention on the implementation. GGGI was selected by former MoNRE to develop a new proposal to support the GoL in the preparation of the NDC Implementation Plan for 2021-2025. This proposal was approved by the NDC Partnership and received a grant from the NDC Partnership Action Fund (PAF) in April 2022.

The project aimed to assess the progress made towards achieving each of the second NDC’s mitigation and adaptation targets and laid down the coordination mechanism, priority measures and projects in key vulnerable sectors to achieve those targets.

Key vulnerable sectors included in the NDC IP are Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land-Use (AFOLU); energy, water resources, transport and urban development, and public health.

The project has brought an opportunity for the Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MPWT), and former MoNRE to closely work together in preparing sectoral climate action plan in both climate mitigation and adaptation. More importantly, it broadly strengthened the role of former MoNRE as a lead agency in the development of NDC and NDC IP through providing coordination and information sharing with line ministries, private sector and development partners. The project achieved the following outputs:

1. A Readiness Assessment for public works and transport sector to transition to low carbon and climate resilient development pathway in English and Lao languages.

2. Greenhouse gas projection training using Low Emission Analysis Platforms (LEAP) developed by UNFCCC to 10 selected government officials in the former Department of Climate Change, MoNRE and set up a Training of Trainers (ToT) team consisting of 10 government officials within former MoNRE.

3. NDC Implementation Plan (NDC-IP) in English and Lao which was endorsed by the former Minister of MoNRE on 22 April 2024; and

4. NDC IP’s short VDO and brochures which were used at the Lao PDR NDC IP launching side event at the NDC Partnership booth during COP28 (2023) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).

This NDC IP describes the roadmap which will guide the implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting (MRV) of the Lao PDR NDC targets across key sectors in the next five years (2021-2025).

Key mitigation measures involve reducing emissions across four sectors. In AFOLU, this means investing in sustainable forests, restoring degraded lands, curbing rice methane, and promoting drought-tolerant crops. For Energy, strategies include boosting renewable exports, using clean cookstoves, and funding energy efficiency. Transport focuses on electric public transit, increasing EV access, and developing biofuels. Finally, Waste mitigation includes scaling organic recycling and strengthening landfill management.

Adaptation strategies aim to build climate resilience. Agriculture will see climate plans integrated, resilient farms developed, and improved crops distributed. In Land Use & Forestry, the focus is on buffer zones, forest reserves, and agroforestry expansion. For Water Resources, this involves integrated plans, waterway rehabilitation, and early warning systems. Transport & Urban Development will assess adaptation financing and train local governments. Public Health aims to strengthen infrastructure and disease detection. The Energy sector will develop resilience plans, assess dam safety, and manage reservoirs.

Step1: Preparatory phase

Step2: Review of data & Information

Step3: Fundamental analysis

Step4: Undertaking stocktaking and projects database

Step5: Preparation of the NDC IP

Step6: Validation and finalization

Step7: Approval by MoNRE

Step8: Launch at COP28

The first Lao PDR NDC Implementation Plan was endorsed by the Minister of MoNRE on 22 April 2024

“This NDC IP will be a guideline and reference for all sectors and relevant agencies in the development of project proposals to request funding for the implementation of identified projects. I would like to acknowledge and thank the NDC Partnership and Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) for their financial and technical support in developing this NDC IP document.” – H.E. Mrs. Bounkham Vorachit, Former Minister of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE).

The Government of Lao PDR, led by the current Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, is working on the third NDC (3.0) in collaboration with line ministries and development partners for submission to the UNFCCC during the COP30 in November 2025.

Download project reference sheet click here