Category: Region
Selected environmental stories from media outlets in the Mekong region and beyond.
Mekong Delta LNG project gets environmental approval
“The Bac Lieu LNG to Power (BLLP) project will help Vietnam’s energy transition from dirty coal to reduce harmful carbon emissions and pollutants, in line with its policy direction and alignment with international policy trends,” the company states.
Vietnam to launch new price mechanism for rooftop solar
It’s reported that the proposed model would allow sellers to sell 70% to 90% of generated electricity to consumers and the remainder to state-owned electric company Vietnam Electricity (EVN). This model would allow EVN to reduce investment pressure on the power grid, transmission and distribution.
China foreign minister to pay short visit to Kingdom
Lim Menghour, deputy director of the Mekong Centre for Strategic Studies at the Asian Vision Institute said, “Promoting a new development paradigm under BRI framework will be another main agenda of the visit,’ referring to China’s practice of foregoing the sometimes intrusive and demanding requirements regarding the internal policies of developing countries it provides aid to, in contrast to the US and EU’s traditional insistence that countries who receive aid undertake reforms in areas like democratic governance, civil liberties and human rights.
Korea pledges cooperation with Mekong countries
Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong on Wednesday reiterated South Korea’s commitment to stronger cooperation with Mekong countries in health care, climate, infrastructure and people-to-people exchanges, his office said.
Cambodian police bar villagers from land seized for new airport
“Authorities are not resolving our issues over the land. They are forcing us to accept the offer of eight dollars per square meter, and are threatening to simply confiscate the land if we don’t accept.”
How Laos can connect health, environment, and economic recovery: World Bank
Pollution is a public health major risk that slows economic growth. Environmental health risks result in around 10,000 deaths each year — over 20% of total deaths in Laos — and cause more than 100 million days of illness.
Border charcoal business a burning issue for residents
Although officials claim that the production of charcoal seriously affects Cambodia’s forest resources, residents living near the Meun Chey international border checkpoint in Prey Veng province say truckloads of the product was sold near the crossing without ever being inspected by authorities.
Fixing Thailand’s killer air pollution
The deregulation of the energy market might not be enough. To ensure a quick departure from fossil fuels, the regulations, and energy market should also open up to other energy technologies that complement renewable energy, such as energy storage systems and peer-to-peer trading.
Lao firm to manage Vung Ang Seaport in central Vietnam
The company’s management of the sea trade route will be significant in supporting the Lao government’s effort to transform landlocked Laos to become a land-linked one and boosting connectivity within the region and beyond.