The World Bank said the 18 percent contraction in fiscal year 2021 (October 2020-September 2021), coming on top of weak growth in FY2020, “would mean that the country’s economy is around 30 percent smaller than” it would have been in the absence of the pandemic and the military takeover on Feb. 1
Category: Region
Selected environmental stories from media outlets in the Mekong region and beyond.
Winds of Change: Vietnam’s Transition from fossil fuels to renewables in Vietnam
For now, Vietnam’s East Sea and the Mekong Delta may offer just the right mix of power from wind and solar to brighten the nation’s future.
Germany to provide €113.56 million of ODA to Vietnam
German-Vietnamese relations and joint projects, especially in infrastructure, energy, training, and climate change will receive a substantial boost after negotiations on development cooperation between the two governments.
Cambodians divided on climate
According to the report, 76 per cent believe that the loss of forests is the main cause of climate change, 53 per cent believe human activity is the cause, while 52 per cent say it is nature. Fifty per cent claim a damaged ozone layer is to blame, 49 per cent say population growth and 34 per cent blame migration to the city, and 22 per cent believe climate change is an act of god.
Cambodia implements 55 projects through MLC
“The main activities of these projects are the preparation of regional-level meetings, training and exchanges between member countries. But the Covid-19 crisis has hindered some of the projects,” he said.
Forest evades WHC ‘in danger’ status
Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex has been spared from being put on the World Heritage in danger list. However, the World Heritage Committee (WHC) has asked Thailand to comply with recommendations made by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) at its July 23 meeting and refrain from building new dams in the forest complex.
In Laos, a Dubious Dam Threatens Luang Prabang
A hydroelectric project could force UNESCO to delist the spectacular World Heritage Site.
Hyundai E&C to continue coal power project in Vietnam despite criticism
Seoul-based not-for-profit organization Solutions for Our Climate said the failure to scrap what was proclaimed to be Hyundai E&C’s final coal project “directly contradicts the company’s own ESG vision” and neutralizes the impact of Seoul’s pledge to end public overseas coal power financing in line with its carbon neutrality initiative.
Thailand launches wildlife campaign against ivory and tiger products
The wildlife trade monitoring network (TRAFFIC), Thailand’s Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation and the United Nations Development Program have jointly launched the ‘Mercy is Power’ campaign to fight the buying and owning of ivory and tiger amulets, ahead of World Tiger Day on 29 July 2021.
New road and railway will draw more mainstream visitors, but will adventure seekers be put off?
Laos has always drawn seekers after rugged adventure, but new rail and road links will open the country up to mainstream visitors and, some hope, high-end ones In particular, more will come from China, and that could change some destinations, an industry insider says, but tourists ‘can still take the older routes’.