Regional : Core Environment Program and Biodiversity Conservation Corridors Initiative in the Greater Mekong Subregion, Phase 2

Agriculture, natural resources and rural development / Land-based natural resources management

The Core Environment Program (CEP) has delivered major outputs towards achieving its intended outcome of an environment friendly and climate-resilient GMS economic cooperation program to date. Progress made towards its Design Monitoring Framework outcomes is summarized in brief below (more information available in the CEP website: www.gms-eoc.org)

(i) Supporting development of national environmental policies and strategies. These included Cambodia National Environmental Strategy and Action Plan (NESAP); Laos pollution control strategy and presidential provision on environmental taxation; and Vietnam Environmental Protection Planning (EPP) Circular.

(ii) Supporting the application of sound environment management policies and tools including the launching of Myanmar environmental impact assessment (EIA) procedure and environmental quality guidelines following official issuance, applying the CLUMondo land use planning simulation modeling in Cambodia and Lao PDR and industrial pollution projection modeling in Cambodia and Myanmar.

(iii) A transboundary biodiversity landscape (TBL) monitoring and evaluation framework (M&E) jointly developed in March 2016 by members of biodiversity landscape steering committees and national experts from Yunnan, Guangxi, Luang Namtha, and Cao Bang has been applied in both Sino-Viet Karst and Mekong Headwaters TBLs.

(iv) A transboundary conservation plan for Cao Vit Gibbon the only known population in the world between Cao Bang, Vietnam and Guangxi, PRC has been jointly developed and implemented.

(v) The first transboundary wild elephant conservation plan in the GMS has been jointly developed between Yunnan of PRC and Luang Namtha, Oudomxai, and Phongsali of Lao PDR based on joint field study and historical data analysis.

(vi) The integration of Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) into the Biodiversity Conservation Corridors (BCC) Project has progressed well. Sixteen development officers from BCC projects in Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Viet Nam have been participating in a six-month modular training program on Community Vulnerability Assessment and Adaptation (CVAA) to Climate Change.

(vii) Fuel efficient technologies, eco-driver training and improved logistics measures have been successfully tested in Lao PDR and Viet Nam, and are underway in Thailand.

(viii) A CEP Strategic Framework 2018 2022 has been endorsed by all WGE members following extensive national and subregional consultations. This strategic framework aims to operationalize CEP core functions which include: facilitating regional cooperation and the management of shared natural capital; providing information and knowledge management support; providing in-country policy advice and technical support; and providing financial and investment services to the GMS countries.

Environmental planning systems, methods and safeguards improved

Management of transboundary biodiversity conservation lanscapes and local livelihoods improved

Climate resilient and low carbon strategies developed

Institutions and financing for sustainable environmental management improved

Output 1: Environmental planning systems, methods, and safeguards improved. The Core Environment Program and Biodiversity Conservation Corridors Initiative in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Phase II (CEP II) assisted GMS countries to strengthen capacity for using tools such as environmental impact assessments (EIAs) and land use change modeling to mainstream environment into development plans and projects. The use of strategic environmental assessment (SEA) gained increasing acceptance as a good strategic planning tool and was enshrined under law in Cambodia and Lao PDR. Policy support to environmental, biodiversity, and pollution control strategies was provided in Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Viet Nam. National safeguards systems and EIA procedures were strengthened and enshrined in law in Myanmar and human resources capacity to implement national EIA requirements was strengthened in Cambodia and Myanmar. The CEP II successfully influenced 17 environmental policies, plans, and regulations, engaging priority sectors including: agriculture, energy, transport, and tourism.

Output 2: Management of transboundary biodiversity conservation landscapes and local livelihoods improved. The CEP II scaled up biodiversity conservation corridors (now 2.6 million hectares across the subregion) and facilitated transboundary landscape planning and cooperation among the countries. Biodiversity conservation corridors now have legal recognition in Cambodia, People's Republic of China, and Viet Nam. Management and protection systems in all corridors were strengthened and three bilateral memoranda of understanding involving five countries (i.e. Cambodia, People's Republic of China, Lao PDR, Thailand and Viet Nam) were signed for the joint management of transboundary biodiversity landscapes. Participatory tools for climate vulnerability assessment and adaptation planning, ecosystem services valuation, and monitoring payment for forest ecosystem services were developed and tested.

Output 3: Climate-resilient and low-carbon strategies developed. Climate change adaptation pilots were conducted in Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand and Viet Nam and climate risk financing was introduced as part of the commune development planning process in Viet Nam. The Forest Investment Program financing was obtained in support of REDD+ in Lao PDR where community-based monitoring, reporting and verification was piloted, along with the development of guidelines for REDD+ benefit sharing. Green freight options were piloted in Lao PDR, Thailand and Viet Nam, involving 60 small- and medium-sized freight companies and the results were used as the basis for developing Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions in Thailand and Viet Nam. Climate vulnerability and adaptation assessments and ecosystem-based adaptation pilots resulted in enhanced climate resilience of rural communities in Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand and Viet Nam.

Output 4: Institutions and financing for sustainable environmental management improved. The Working Group on Environment (WGE) national focal agencies were strengthened and national support units were established and operationalized in all six GMS countries. With support from strengthened national focal agencies, the WGE took an increasingly proactive leadership role. As a result, the Environment Operations Center was able to take on a more technical role, and was particularly active in knowledge and information management, and the development and testing of spatial planning and analysis tools. CEP II has held over 250 capacity building events, involving over 12,000 participants. Three learning networks, two knowledge-based websites, and over 40 publications and films were created. Significant efforts were made on joint project development with other sectors and private sector engagement, particularly in the context of Green Freight Initiative. The fifth GMS Environment Ministers Meeting was successfully held in February 2018 with the endorsement of the GMS CEP Strategy Framework and Action Plan.

The TA was extended up to 31 March 2020 to complete the remaining activities.