Progress towards the MDGs in the Lao PDR
MDG 7: Ensure Environmental Sustainability
 The recent increase in economic activities linked to the country’s natural resources have an impact on environmental quality. Lao PDR’s forest resources that once covered about 70% of the total land area had declined to 42% by 2002. Widespread soil erosion, especially in the uplands, and shorter fallow periods lead to declining agricultural productivity.
Although Lao PDR is a minor player to climate change, climate change at the global and regional levels may have significant impacts on Lao PDR. Lao PDR contributions to GHG emissions were mainly related to widespread use of fuel wood and swidden agriculture, or slash-and-burn farming. The conservation and sustainable management of agricultural biodiversity can play a role in adapting to the effects of climate change. Global and regional climate change scenarios and their impact to the people of Lao PDR should be considered.
In line with the targets of the NSEDP, Lao PDR has made good progress on expanding access to safe water and sanitation over the last decade. The proportion of people with access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation increased significantly during the period 1990-2007. Access to safe drinking water is more widespread than access to basic sanitation though performance across provinces is varied. Access in rural areas is determined by location. The more remote provinces and those with fewer roads are likely to have lower coverage. Safe water access is worse during the dry season due to lack of rainwater, and access for poor households is about 10% to 15% below access for non-poor households.
 Meeting the targets: The government has enacted a wide array of legislation, regulations and action plans for environmental conservation and protection, including through other sectors such as health. The Environmental Protection Law (1999), supported by its Implementing Decree (2002), is the principal environmental legislation. It includes measures for the protection, mitigation and restoration of the environment, as well as guidelines for environmental management and monitoring. The Prime Minister’s Decree on Health Impact Policy was enacted in 2007 to safe-guard public health. National Environmental Health Action Plans are being drafted to provide multi-sectoral collaboration and cooperation on environment and health programmes in the country.
The capacity of various institutions to implement and enforce environmental regulations as well as environmental action plans needs to be strengthened. In addition, there is an urgent need to increase awareness of the need for environmental protection and environmental and health correlations among the general public. The Forestry Law was amended in 2007 to strengthen sustainable management of forest and the Wildlife Law was also enacted to provide a stronger legal framework for biodiversity conservation. Implementation and enforcement of these laws are one of keys for meeting the targets.
In addition to continuous donor support, reaching the safe water and sanitation targets will require decentralized delivery models through community participation and cost sharing.
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