Sustainable Energy and Environment

Understanding the dynamic interconnection of energy and the environment, MI works to balance their management for the long-term sustainability of the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS).

As globalization and rapid urbanization are taking place in the GMS, Cambodia, P.R. China, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam have each displayed surging economic growth given its abundant human and natural resources, as well as its strategic location as a bridge between South and East Asia.

Concurrently, the upsurge in economic activities and population have placed escalating pressure on land, water, and power sources in the subregion, where around 322 million people rely on for their food, water, energy, and income. Compounding the strain are increasing weather variabilities, more frequent and severe weather events, as well as the degradation of biodiversity and ecosystem services due in part to intensive hydropower development and climate change.

While countries in the GMS have initiated efforts to integrate energy and climate change adaptation into national development strategies and policies, a more calibrated regional convergence is necessary to effectively translate efforts into a sustainable path towards energy security and climate resilience in the subregion.

As such, collective action is required to deliver strategic and innovative solutions. Through the pooling of capacity building investments, research, and networks, MI will work with regional cooperation mechanisms and institutions to jointly equalize energy access and connectivity, boost energy productivity, widen scientific understanding, enhance cost-effective agri-environmental policies, identify sound water management practices, and advocate proactive responses to climate change.

OUR GOAL

MI will bridge public-private sector linkages and deliver solution-oriented knowledge for better utilization of energy management practices and environmental technologies. It will support GMS initiatives in the planning and implementation of projects for power generation, cross-border interconnection, and country transmission systems for more affordable electricity and reduction of carbon dioxide emissions.

Further, MI will open more investments in green economy by enhancing capacities of micro-, small, and medium sized enterprises (MSMEs) to manage green businesses and circular economies. It will also strengthen resilience of farmers and the private sector by helping them adopt climate-smart agricultural production to boost harvests and income, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions, where possible.

In addition, MI will invest in broadening multi-sectoral coordination and cooperation through policy dialogues to promote good practices, lessons learned, and opportunities that will protect environmental sustainability, food security, and the livelihood of riparian and fishing communities.

Cross-cutting issues such as social inclusion and vulnerability, labor mobility, and gender mainstreaming will also be integrated into relevant sustainable energy and environment programs, projects, and activities to cement holistic and lasting development change.

ISSUES UNDER CONSIDERATION

• MSMEs application of clean technologies in products and services
• Power-grid connectivity for wider public access to available and affordable electricity
• More efficient cross-border power trade to reduce energy prices, relieve shortages, facilitate decarbonization, and increase incentives for market extension and integration
• Enhance capacities in the implementation of energy efficiency and mitigation of climate change impacts
• Synergy in energy cooperation programs and stimulation of knowledge exchange to advance food and nutritional security
• Increased investments in green economy for resource efficiency, land productivity, and water security