Laos needs a greener economy to protect the environment
Construction and development projects in Laos should include environmental impact assessments, as well as conform to the needs of a green economy.
Mr Somvang Thammavong offers his opinion on how to encourage green economic development.
Director of the Innogreen Company, Mr Somvang Thammavong, made the comment yesterday to mark World Environment Day on June 5, under the theme ‘Green Economy: Does it include you?'
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) defines a ‘green economy' as one that results in improved human well-being and social equity, while significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities.
UNEP said a green economy will encourage sustainable economic growth while protecting the environment and biodiversity. Growth in income and employment is driven by public and private investment in projects that demonstrate reduced carbon emission and pollution, enhance energy and resource efficiency, and prevent the loss of biodiversity and disruption to delicate ecosystems.
Mr Somvang explained that environmental impact assessment of projects was vital to protect not only the environment, but also local people's living conditions and the development of a green economy, so the merits of each project can be fully appreciated.
He said the government should encourage project planners to follow the country's laws and regulations which require every project to be assessed on environmental grounds, as it would help to ensure continuing, sustainable development.
However, he said it was essential that people who live near development projects should be able to recognise environmental problems as well as cooperate in mitigating their effects.
Mr Somvang said that at present, global warming and climate change were two major issues facing Laos, so it was necessary for the country to review and, where necessary, reform the laws thereby forcing project planners and developers to conform to the needs of a green economy.
Developments in central Vientiane should be strongly encouraged to ‘go green'. For example, if a tall building is proposed for construction, serious consideration should be given to reducing electricity consumption by installing solar panels.
When a development is expected to use a significant amount of timber, the developer should ensure that the forests to be depleted are replanted where necessary, to maintain the natural balance.
Mr Somvang stressed that if the government were to support the green economy concept, it would help to sustain economic growth and reduce the cost of corrective environmental actions and addressing human health problems.
However, he advised that the government must, if necessary, force projects to adhere to the law, as well as make local people understand that they are an essential part of the process to protect the environment.
