Promoting Climate Change Resilience in Mekong River Basin Communities
Climate change has brought about extreme droughts and floods across the Mekong-Lancang River basin, resulting into a chain of impacts including water scarcity and decline in agricultural produce. Against such backdrop, hydropower and large water storage structures offer immense potential in helping manage the water flow and in building the resilience of communities in the basin.
In October 2018, Mekong Institute, together with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of Thailand launched the project on Transboundary Cooperation Mechanism on Adaptation to Climate Change and Hydropower Development Projects. The Project aims to improve joint-evidence based information collection, analysis, and sharing; and support decision-making to improve communication on issues concerning water flow and water level fluctuations in the Mekong River as a result of climate change. By so doing, it also hopes to promote greater collaboration and information exchange of key stakeholders.
FUNDED BY
MEKONG-LANCANG COOPERATION SPECIAL FUND
OBJECTIVES
- Initiate a concrete mechanism for cooperation through a data/information-sharing platform on water level/flow fluctuations and reservoir management
- Increase community awareness of climate change impacts and mitigation and adaptation measures
- Broaden people’s understanding of the significance of hydropower development projects and their operations
EXPECTED OUTCOMES
- Enhanced information-sharing among concerned agencies in the six member countries on water level fluctuations and adaptation measures
- Improved awareness of the public of the impacts of hydropower development projects and its role in reducing risks from flow level fluctuations and climate change uncertainties
- Better understanding of communities in the project areas of the opportunities of hydropower development in supporting long-term livelihood.
ACTIVITIES
- National consultations with key stakeholders to identify experiences and issues concerning water level fluctuations
- Regional forum to facilitate sharing of experiences and the development of adaptation measures
- Formulation of strategies that lay down the information-sharing mechanism among key stakeholders and agencies in Cambodia, P.R. China, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam
TARGET SECTORS
- Relevant government agencies and academic and research institutes in the six member countries
- Hydropower companies
WAYS FORWARD
- Pilot applications of transboundary cooperation mechanisms to improve the communications on water level/flow risks in the six member countries
- Identifying technical solutions in managing water fluctuations and formulating livelihood options for affected communities