Institutions

Lao PDR

In 2000, over 95% of Lao People’s Democratic Republic’s emissions are caused by Land Use Change and Forestry (LUCF) and the agriculture sector.

The total emissions were reported to be 50,742.91 ktCO2e in that year. However, the country managed to do an overall 34% emissions reduction

between 2000-2020, resulting in a net national GHG emissions to be around 53,000 ktCO2e in 2020.

Net Zero Target

2050 or sooner

Institutions

ASEAN
- Brunei Darussalam
- Cambodia
- Indonesia
- Lao PDR
- Malaysia
- Myanmar
- Philippines
- Singapore
- Thailand
- Viet Nam
Norway

State Climate Action

Lao PDR has several programs under the climate action umbrella. Launched in 2019, the Lao PDR’s National Green Growth Strategy to 2030 addresses the country’s climate change adaptation strategies, aiming to reduce the country’s vulnerability to climate change. Putting in mind the experience of disadvantaged groups, the plan encompasses 4 cross-cutting areas, 7 focused sectors for promotion and 5 supporting sectors. Combating climate change and its impacts also becomes one of the focuses stipulated by the country’s 9th Five-Year National Social-Economic Development Plan 2021-2025.

National Roadmap

N/A

Policies

Topic	Title	Year	Issuing Ministry
Energy	2021-2030 Power Development Plan Link to policy is unavailable, but a summary can be found here here	2021	MEM
Energy	Policy on Sustainable Hydropower Development Decree No. 02/GoL of 2015 (EN)	2015	Government of Lao PDR, MEM
Energy, Finance	Renewable Energy Development Strategy RE Dev Strategy (EN)	2011	Government of Lao PDR
Energy	Law on Electricity Law on Electricity (LO)	2017	MPI
Energy	Law on Minerals Law No. 291/2017 (EN)	2017	National Assembly
Energy	Decree of the Government on Biofuel Government Decree No. 410/GO of 2016 (LO)	2016	Government of Lao PDR
Climate	Disaster Risk Management Law Disaster Risk Management Law (LO)	2019	Government of Lao PDR
Climate	Decree on Climate Change Decree on Climate Change (EN)	2019	Government of Lao PDR
Climate, Energy, Finance	National Green Growth Strategy to 2030 (EN)	2019	Government of Lao PDR
Climate	9^th Five Year National Socioeconomic Development Plan 2021-2025 9^th Five Year National Socioeconomic Development Plan 2021-2025 (EN)	2021	Government of Lao PDR
Climate, Finance	National Strategy on Climate Change National Strategy on Climate Change (2023 ed,) (LO)	2010	Government of Lao PDR
Climate	Environmental Protection Law Law No. 29/NA of 2012 (2013 ed.) (EN unofficial)	2012	Government of Lao PDR

Hydropower and traditional biomass are the major energy sources used in TPES. Nonetheless, in 2015, coal has been added as an energy source and this is also the only fossil fuel type that has been used in the primary supply. The annual growth rate of total primary energy supply (TPES) in BAU from 2019 to 2023 increases by about 3.9% per annum and in the COVID-19 scenario by about 3.1%. Primary consumption of petroleum decreases more than for other fuels (by 2.5%), followed by coal (0.3%), hydro (0.2%), and biomass (0.1%).

Oil products and traditional biomass are the major consumers in TFEC, each accounting for about 40%, compared to electricity, which is only about 13% of the TFEC.

The annual average growth rate (AAGR) of total final energy consumption (TFEC) in BAU from 2019 to 2023 increases by about 4.5% per annum and in the COVID-19 scenario by about 3.2% per annum (Table 10.1). Energy consumption decreases from 3,867.3 kilotonnes of oil equivalent (Ktoe) to 3,681.3 Ktoe in 2023. Solid fuel consumption decreases the most, by 2.8%, followed by petroleum (2.6%), electricity (0.9%), and biomass (0.1%).

The Lao PDR National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Policy will reduce 10% in 2030 to 20% in 2040 [1].

[1] Lao PDR country profile 2022.

NDC Document

Source: UNFCCC NDC – Lao PDR

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To 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.
To achieve the above vision, Lao PDR has outlined the following intended mitigation activities to be implemented in 2015 – 2030.

In 2020 it is estimated that national GHG emissions will be around 53,000 ktCO2e, this has been through the reduction of GHG mitigation measures that have been implemented since 2000. Lao PDR achieved a 34% reduction in emissions between 2000 and 2020 compared to the baseline scenario while the GHG emission growth rate during the period can be estimated at around 0.3% on average annually.