GREATER MEKONG SUBREGION CORE ENVIRONMENT PROGRAM Component 1: Environmental Planning Systems, Methods and Safeguards Improved Activity Progress and Component Strategy

GREATER MEKONG SUBREGION CORE ENVIRONMENT PROGRAM Activity Progress May-Oct 2012 Contingent valuation of ecosystem services in Champassak province, Lao PDR – Study completed by Champassak University, report underway SEA application and decision support for area based plans – Training on applying SEA in river basin context (RR SEA) – Completion of Golden Quadrangle Tourism SEA and presentation of findings and recommendations at Tourism Working Group. Development of interactive knowledge portal – Completion of 28 core indicators and launch of the GMS Indicator Portal – Identification of new indicators inetgrating into GMS Program

GREATER MEKONG SUBREGION CORE ENVIRONMENT PROGRAM Improved environmental planning systems, methods and safeguards STRATEGIC PLANNING: Subregional and national strategic planning capacity strengthened 1. Economic assessment of natural capital, 2. Support for area-based plans, 3. Support for sector plans SAFEGUARDS: Environmental safeguards application improved and compliance monitoring mechanisms enhanced 1. Strengthening environmental safeguard systems / capacity, 2. Safeguards application, monitoring and evaluation (ADB projects) MONITORING: Environmental monitoring processes strengthened 1. Establishment of Environmental Information System, 2. Strengthen monitoring systems / capacity building (Regional / National), 3. Monitor trends in biodiversity corridors / landscapes (Site) Component 1

GREATER MEKONG SUBREGION CORE ENVIRONMENT PROGRAM Results-based management: Planning 2013 Understanding of natural capital and ecosystem services in the GMS improved Research partnerships established; methodology in place Environmental valuation methods integrated into into area based planning Planning support tools being applied to 3 or more area- based plans Initial SEA awareness raised in energy sector in Cambodia and Lao PDR At least 30 stakeholders trained in SEA application for energy/ power development 2014 Awareness of value and financial costs related to ecosystem services increased VES maps and values published and disseminated Capacity of planners to support greening of sector strategies and plans improved At least 3 GMS universities trained in SEA and related tools Environmental planning tools introduced & capacity built for energy sector At least 1 institution/ university in each county is capable of applying SEA in energy/ power development plans 2015 VES methods integrated in strategic planning VES statistics / maps used in area-based and/or sector plans Environmental considerations integrated into GMS area- based plans SEA guidelines in place / underway in 3 GMS countries Documented changes in area- based plans based on SEA support Environment/ Ecosystems services values (cost/benefits) incorporated in national power/energy development plans Documented changes in energy/power development plan in 2 additional countries 2016 Environmental and social considerations included in at least 10 GMS sector or corridor strategies and plans At least two new / updated legal instruments (law / regulations) at a sector / national level supporting SEA or related tools prepared in GMS countries

GREATER MEKONG SUBREGION CORE ENVIRONMENT PROGRAM Results-based management: Safeguards and monitoring 2012 Transition from static program website to interactive knowledge portal completed Indicator portal receives at least 100 hits per month within 6 months from launch and at least 2500 hits within the first 18 months 2013 Priorities for country- specific safeguards capacity building and monitoring identified Safeguards diagnostic report and action plan prepared Environmental Information System developed and integrated at country- level At least 80 DPSIR indicators available and updated with support from NSU Site level monitoring and evaluation framework adopted by BCC BCC site progress monitored and published annually 2014 Improved safeguards application in ADB project (incl. transport & BCC) RSAT tested in at least 2 river basins; documented improvement in EIA application for transport in 3 countries EIS supports relevant national & site-level monitoring At least 2 new knowledge management / sharing tools deployed At least 2 environmental reporting systems making use of EIS data 2015 Harmonization of GMS country safeguards with international best practice At least 6 safeguards training per year Documented improvement in safeguards application CEP-BCI online knowledge portal recognized as a key resource center At least 10 external publications (reports, journal papers, conference presentations) make use of EIS data Effectiveness of BCC investments monitored 10 key indicators on BCC sites and landscapes maintained annually 2016 At least 100 agency staff (at least 35% women) able to implement safeguard assessments At least five GMS strategic plans and environmental reports supported by the Environment Information System

GREATER MEKONG SUBREGION CORE ENVIRONMENT PROGRAM Planned Activities (rest of 2012) Strategic planning Scope out activity on economics of natural capital (Regional) Technical inputs into ADB‟s Red River basin water resources planning (VIE) Preparation of publication on subregional tourism SEA Safeguards Assessment of GMS country safeguards sufficiency and potential to harmonize with ADB safeguard approaches Myanmar EIA, monitoring and compliance capacity development Monitoring Upgrade EOC GMS Indicator Portal with new indicators Scoping of regional forest mapping and EOC knowledge portal upgrades Publication of national EPA reports and subregional EPA synthesis report