The project is implementing activities in two very different settings across Lao PDR - the urban landscape of Luang Prabang and rural communities across the Xe Bang Hieng River Basin, Savannakhet Province.

Although these two areas are very different in nature, the project’s approach towards building climate resilience is the same – taking an integrated catchment management approach and promoting Ecosystem-based Adaptation solutions at community scales.

Luang Prabang city is a UNESCO listed world heritage site and popular tourist destination. The city has experienced rapid change led by strong economic growth and a surge in tourism. As visitor numbers rapidly increase, the city faces real challenges in conserving its cultural heritage and laid-back environment, whilst servicing the demands of increasing tourism.

The city’s public utilities and infrastructure is under increasing stress from development pressures and a changing climate, as too are the city’s natural assets. The city has a unique network of heritage listed ponds (or wetlands), however, their lack of perceived value has seen the loss of more than 100 ponds since 1999 due to in-filling and land conversion.

Wetlands and other ecosystem-based infrastructure, are important features in the urban landscape as they provide drainage and retention of storm water; increases urban liveability through reducing urban heat sources and creating public amenity; and habitat and water quality improvements that benefit biodiversity.

The project will work with local authorities and the community to promote the conservation of urban wetlands and other natural infrastructure, as ecosystem-based solutions (EbS) to reduce urban flood risks for the city of Luang Prabang.

In Savannakhet Province, the project takes a whole-of-catchment approach with project sites across the Xe Bang Hieng River Basin - targeting forest conservation and restoration in the catchment’s headwaters, and flood management strategies and infrastructure solutions in the floodplain, where there are significant flood risks to communities and location of internationally important wetlands.

The project is implemented across five districts in Savannakhet Province — Champhone, Xonbuly, Songkhone, Sepone and Nong districts. These districts are all impacted by floods and droughts to varying degrees, depending on where they are located within the catchment. The project will introduce best-practice approaches in assessing climate risks, and develop long-term strategies at the district and village-level to adapt to a changing climate. The project will use these assessments to build the capacity and knowledge-base of Government officials, and support improvement in landuse planning and protected area management.