Enabling a paradigm shift towards Ecosystem-based Adaptation to build Siphandone Wetland community resilience to climate change impacts, Lao PDR

With co-funding support from the Australian-funded ‘Climate Resilience by Nature Mekong’ programme, this project aims at supporting Laos’ paradigm shift to ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) at sub-national level, focusing particularly on the Siphandone Wetland in the southern province of Champasak, Lao PDR. This flood and drought-prone site encompasses a variety of habitats, each providing important ecosystem services valuable to the well-being of tens of thousands of people living in and around the Wetland. Drawing on available EbA best practices and building on the direct experience of natural resources-dependent Siphandone Wetland communities in piloting locally-relevant EbA solutions, the project will help consolidate the evidence for the potential added value of applying an EbA approach in the Wetland and address some of the key barriers to replicating and upscaling such an approach. More specifically, the project’s main output will be the adoption of a Multi-Sectoral Adaptation Action Plan for the Siphandone Wetland, which will identify opportunities at policy level for mainstreaming EbA as a valuable adaptation approach in support of national sustainable development and poverty alleviation strategies, and support district-level sectoral agencies to strategize, plan and budget for their climate action under their respective sectors of intervention.

Project Status

The Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) project, implemented from July to December 2024 in the Siphandone Wetland, Khong district, Laos achieved significant strides in enhancing climate resilience. Through targeted training sessions, key government stakeholders, community representatives, and WWF-Laos staff deepened their understanding of how ecosystems support adaptation to climate change. Practical exercises and case studies enabled participants to identify effective adaptation measures and build capacity for their implementation.

Collaboration with local authorities culminated in the creation of a Multi-Sectoral Adaptation Action Plan, which integrates EbA principles into Khong district’s economic development framework. This plan promotes sustainable development while preserving the region’s unique ecosystems, with implementation supported by existing resources and potential partnerships.

Field observations and community consultations highlighted the impact of EbA measures in strengthening habitats and addressing gender inclusivity. Workshops engaged diverse stakeholders to agree on actionable priorities, while future scenarios were developed to assess vulnerabilities and guide long-term strategies.

By aligning ecological preservation with community needs, the EbA project demonstrates how innovative, nature-based solutions can address climate challenges. For a detailed look at the project’s findings and outcomes, refer to No.1.