Environmental Impacts of Trade Liberalization in the Bio-diesel Sector of the Lao PDR

The document assesses the bio-diesel sector in Lao PDR as a means to reduce oil import dependency and create economic opportunities. While the government views biofuels as a tool for climate change mitigation and energy security, the report warns of significant environmental risks, including deforestation, biodiversity loss, and water pollution. It notes the absence of a cohesive national biofuel policy and recommends integrating strategic environmental assessments into policy development and private sector operations.

• The Lao PDR government's strategy to increase biofuel production is driven by goals of energy security, fossil fuel conservation, agricultural employment, and climate change mitigation via greenhouse gas abatement.
• Bio-diesel production poses several environmental and social risks, specifically the conversion of natural forests to mono-crop plantations, the displacement of food crops, threats to biodiversity and endangered species, and pollution from pesticides and fertilizers.
• Lao PDR currently lacks a cohesive national policy on biofuels, necessitating better coordination between provincial authorities and government ministries.

APA

Sengmany,, P. (2008). Environmental Impacts of Trade Liberalization in the Bio-diesel Sector of the Lao PDR. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/environmental-impacts-trade-liberalization-bio-diesel-sector-lao-pdr

Chicago

Sengmany,, Phaychith. Environmental Impacts of Trade Liberalization in the Bio-diesel Sector of the Lao PDR. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2008. https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/environmental-impacts-trade-liberalization-bio-diesel-sector-lao-pdr.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Sengmany, |first1=Phaychith |title=Environmental Impacts of Trade Liberalization in the Bio-diesel Sector of the Lao PDR |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=23 January 2008 |url=https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/environmental-impacts-trade-liberalization-bio-diesel-sector-lao-pdr |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{sengmany2008environmental, author = {Sengmany,, Phaychith}, title = {{Environmental Impacts of Trade Liberalization in the Bio-diesel Sector of the Lao PDR}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2008}, month = jan, url = {https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/environmental-impacts-trade-liberalization-bio-diesel-sector-lao-pdr}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }