A climate change adaptation strategy for the Lower Mekong Basin

The initiative is a collaborative regional effort to support the processes of adapting to the new challenges posed by climate change in the Lower Mekong Basin. The main focus is a basin wide integrated approach to adaptation planning consistent with the principles of integrated water resources management and within the framework of the 1995 Mekong Agreement “to promote and coordinate sustainable management and development of water and related resources for the countries’ mutual benefit and the people’s well-being by implementing strategic programmes and activities and providing scientific information and policy advice.”

Adaptation strategy plan

Within the mandate of the Mekong River Commission, the adaptation strategy plan will focus on water and water-related resources. It will support the member countries (Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam) to enhance their adaptive capacity especially in planning for addressing transboundary impacts of climate change and needs for transboundary adaptation. The plan will involve a set of flexible strategic actions in response to current vulnerability and future climate risks in the Lower Mekong Basin.

The work of Jos Timmerman entails a review of the national policies, strategy, legal and institutional arrangements on climate change adaptation in the Lower Mekong Basin, a review of the draft status report of the Mekong River Commission and the analysis of the available information to feed into the Mekong adaptation strategy and action plan. The policy analysis ensures that the established policy does not contradict the national policies and is linked with other policies at regional and international levels. The plan shall consider current water resources development, priorities and trends, the policy, legal, and institutional arrangement on climate change, and adaptation needs and constraints. Next to that, the current and future vulnerability, climate risks and socio-economic conditions will be assessed. Finally, adaptation options will be identified and prioritized.

More information:

The climate change initiative of the Mekong River Commission