ICEM Projects in Detail:

Basin Development Challenge Project 3 in the Mekong Basin

ICEM, together with its consortium partners, has been awarded three Basin Development Challenge research projects in the Mekong Basin. The overarching goal is to reduce poverty and foster development through management of water for multiple uses in large and small reservoirs. The projects are worth US3m over three years. Funded by the CGIAR Challenge Program on Water and Food (CPWF), the CPWF brings together more than a dozen leading research institutes and think tanks in the LMB on some of the emerging critical water management issues for hydropower on the Nam Theun, Sesan, Sekong, Sesan river basins.

Project 1 is led by IWMI and explores how best to optimise multi-use water management options for three reservoirs. Project 2 is led by WorldFish and attempts to quantify the costs and benefits of hydropower to affected communities. ICEM leads Project 3, which applies innovative modelling approaches to scale up lessons from other projects to the catchment scale, seeking to understand the cumulative upstream and downstream consequences of management decisions for systems of multiple reservoirs on the same river channel.

Project 3 aims to develop a systems approach to coordinated and equitable management of cascades or systems of reservoirs through a suite of hydrological and hydraulic modelling designed to focus on multi-use, optimization and benefit sharing at the catchment level. The project elevates planning and management to catchment level and models all water uses and options as part of a comprehensive assessment of opportunities and risks posed by the operation of many WASI projects in one catchment. At the core of the method is an assessment of the features of catchment hydrology, which drive ecosystem functions and support a large proportion of LMB livelihoods. These features, such as dry/wet season flows, the flood pulse, intra-annual floods, droughts, inter-annual floods and sediment load and transport, are the hydrological signatures responsible for the high levels of biodiversity and productivity of the LMB. The hydrological and hydraulic modelling in this project is centred on the identification and quantification of those hydrological signatures for the target catchments.

Project 3 met with consortium partners in Vientiane in January and February 2010 to finalise work approaches and scheduling.

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Study on the revolving fund for household sewerage connection in Binh Duong and Vinh Phuc provinces

ICEM plans to undertake an assessment of the sewerage systems and connections in two important regions in north and south Vietnam. The project expects to run for six months from January to June. There are two overall objectives which the study aims to assess:

• i) Household willingness-to-pay to access (connect) to the sewerage system and the socio-economic characteristics which may explain the extent of this willingness-to-pay
• ii) The design and feasibility of institutional and financial mechanisms to promote access to the sewerage system. More specifically, the proposal of appropriate revolving fund mechanisms for promoting household sewerage connection in the Thu Dau Mot Town (Binh Duong Province) and (Vinh Yen Town) Vinh Phuc Province where separate sewerage systems are being developed with the assistance of JICA.

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Biodiversity and Development of the Hydropower Sector: Lessons from the Vietnam Experience

ICEM is producing a set of materials on the biodiversity and development of hydropower in Vietnam. The project will involve the production of five key documents:

• i) Volume I: A Review of the Effects of Hydropower Development on Biodiversity Resources in Vietnam - Targeted at civil society, Government and donors working within the fields of hydropower development and natural resources management, the document will be an accessible, practical overview of current knowledge on the relationship between hydropower development and the potential effects on biodiversity resources.
• ii) Volume II: Hydropower and Biodiversity: the use of SEA as an Assessment Tool - This volume is targeted at an audience of civil society, Government, donors, consultants and others involved in the assessment of biodiversity issues in the hydropower sector.
• iii) Biodiversity and Hydropower: Fact Sheet - A 2 to 3 page summary of Volume I for wide distribution and posting on relevant websites.
• iv) Hydropower and Biodiversity: the use of SEA as an Assessment Tool Practice Note - Based on Volume II, this paper provides a snapshot of practical guidance for the use of SEA as an assessment tool for assessing the effects of hydropower on biodiversity resources.
• v) Hydropower and Biodiversity: Lessons from the Vietnamese Experience CD-ROM - A CD-ROM containing all the project materials would be produced.

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Ho Chi Minh Adaptation to Climate Change Study

Commenced in early 2008 and submitted for review in July 2009, the study is an initial step in a planned response by the City to the challenges it faces in adapting to climate change. The study explored the threats of climate change by 2050 and its potential impact on areas, communities and sectors in the city and provided recommendations for adaptation options.

HCMC is a tropical coastal city located on the estuary of Saigon-Dong Nai River system Within the Dong Nai River Basin is the Southern Economic Focal Region (SEFR) the most important regional economic planning unit in the country. A significant part of HCMC is regularly flooded from tides, storm surge, rains, floods and man-made structures. There are great social and economic pressures on the City and its land and water resources, even without the added pressures of extreme weather events and climate change. The study highlighted the anticipated expansion of the city with the possible growth of the population due to economic and climate migration.

Detailed adaptation planning holds the key to future resilience in HCMC. All sectors and areas need to consider the impacts of climate change in their development plans. The study focused on strategic development sectors and spatial planning, including urban planning and infrastructure, transport, power development, water management and supply and public health.

Some of the key findings of the study are:

• The transport master plan is committed to (i) major ring road construction, (ii) arterial interprovincial and national roads, and (iii) new ports and rail/metro systems. By 2050, some 30-70% of these new systems are at risk of flooding. Link to map
• Close to 70% of the City's remaining agriculture are at risk of salinity concentrations 4ppt. Link to map
• Some 50% of the City's surface and groundwater treatment plants are at risk of flooding and salinity of concentrations of 1ppt.
• 60% of the City's wastewater treatment plants and 90% of land fill sites are at risk of flooding.

Download the Draft HCMC Adaptation to Climate Change Report Volume 1: Executive Summary.

Download the Draft HCMC Adaptation to Climate Change Report Volume 2: Main Report.

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Sustainable Tourism Plan for Ngoc Son-Ngo Luong Nature Reserve

ICEM was contracted by FPSC to design a Sustainable Tourism Plan (STP) for the Ngoc Son-Ngo Luong Nature Reserve (NSNL) in Hoa Binh province, in line with a broader Action Plan for the whole reserve. The habitat consists largely of moist limestone karst forest and is an important area for biodiversity and endemism, containing numerous caves and waterfalls. ICEM completed the final review workshop and implementation training and has finalised the end product. The report is with the FPSC for review.

The primary objectives of the project are:

• Develop a plan based on the principles of sustainable development, international standards in ecotourism, biodiversity conservation and the preservation of the cultural and social values of NSNL
• Ensure that sustainability in the tourism industry for NSNL is achievable, rather than an unrealistic ideal
• Ensure that tourism provides equitable benefits to communities living within NSNL, and that these communities have an active role in the decision making processes
• Ensure that tourism actively contributes to the conservation of environmental and cultural values of NSNL

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Mekong River Commission Strategic Environmental Assessment of Hydropower on mainstream Mekong River

ICEM has been commissioned by MRC to undertake a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of 11 planned hydropower dams along the mainstream Mekong River. The SEA will run for 12 months and assess the wider economic, social and environmental implications of the proposed developments.

The SEA will build on the work undertaken by various MRC programs, including the fisheries, navigation and agricultural programs as well the Basin Development Planning process. Country-level consultation will be facilitated by the National Mekong Committees (NMCs) and include engagement with government line agencies, NGOs and civil society organizations and the private sector. The SEA is an advisory study to guide and inform MRC member countries.

The purpose of the SEA is to identify the potential opportunities and risks as well as contribution of hydropower to regional development by assessing:

• Mainstream Mekong hydropower development strategies, and
• The regional distribution of costs and benefits with respect to economic development, social equity and environmental protection.

The expected outputs of the SEA include:

1. Specific recommendations supporting decisions relating to mainstream development plans
2. Environmental safeguards and mitigation measures linked to hydropower planning in the LMB
3. Recommendations for institutional and policy reform
4. Recommendation for improving the guidelines for SEA in the hydropower sector
5. A set of tools and a database for future SEAs in the hydropower sector
6. Enhanced capacity for conducting SEAs

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Mekong River Commission Climate Change Adaptation Initiative

In February 2009, ICEM was contracted by the Mekong River Commission (MRC) to create the Climate Change Initiative Framework and to draft a Regional Synthesis Report. This work was completed in May 2009.

The Lower Mekong Basin (LMB) covers an area of approximately 606,000 km2 within the countries of Thailand, Lao PDR, Cambodia and Vietnam. Based on the outcomes of recent national and regional studies, there is growing concern about the potential effects of climate change on the socio-economic characteristics and natural resources of the LMB region. There is an identified need for a more informed understanding of the potential impacts from climate change.

In response, the MRC launched the regional Climate Change and Adaptation Initiative (CCAI). The CCAI is a collaborative regional initiative designed to address the shared climate change adaptation challenges of LMB countries. The Regional Synthesis Report (RSR) has been prepared as part of the initial phase of the CCAI to provide a snapshot of current knowledge and activities related to climate change in the LMB countries.
The specific objectives of the RSR were:

• To inform a wide audience of the current state of knowledge of climate change issues in LMB countries and across the region
• To provide up to date information on regional and national adaptation activities and policy and institutional responses in relation to climate change
• To present the results of a climate change gap analysis, identifying information deficiencies and shortcomings in planned activities and policy and institutional responses
• To present a series of recommendations for future climate change related actions in the LMB

The regional report is to be published by MRC and copies of both the CCAI document and regional report can be obtained through the Commission, or on request from ICEM.

Download the MRC CCAI Regional Synthesis Report

Visit the Mekong River Commission website

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World Bank SEA of the Hydropower Sector Pilot Project - Vietnam:

This project focused on producing a pilot SEA to be used for early identification and assessment of the likely significant natural habitats-related impacts, both positive and negative, of the proposed program of hydropower development in Vietnam. Broadly, the pilot study aimed to demonstrate the value of the SEA in integrating environmental considerations into the preparation and adoption of EVN Hydropower plans. In particular, the study demonstrates the value of the SEA in assessing impacts and defining mitigation options at the program level. It demonstrated how the SEA can overcome limitations inherent in the project by employing a project approach to EIA such as timeliness of findings; limited influence on project choice or design; inefficient use of technical services or expertise; inefficient targeting of new studies; and limited value added to national knowledge base. The specific objectives of the study were to assess the significance of the biodiversity impacts of the proposed hydropower plan, and to define alternative mitigation and management strategies. It identifies key resources, institutions, skills required to implement such strategies, and identifies key information gaps needed to support site specific planning, and define standards and methodologies for assessing site specific problems with regard to biodiversity. The project works through a focus group of government specialists in the energy and environment sectors supported by an ICEM and Birdlife International technical team.

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Greater Mekong Subregion Core Environment Program:

ICEM provides on-going technical support to the Asian Development Bank in design, facilitation and consultation relating to the Greater Mekong Subregion Core Environment Program (CEP). The CEP is a systematic and integrated approach to conserve the natural systems of the GMS for the ecosystem services they provide. It focuses on the most important fields of action over the next ten years to ensure the sustainability of GMS economic development. The six components of the Program provide the means to address the immediate and long-term stresses that rapid economic growth would otherwise have on the environment and natural resources of the region. One component - on biodiversity conservation - has received special attention. It has two related elements-restoration and conservation of biodiversity and ecosystem services within (i) protected areas and (ii) corridors of land and water linking them. Both parts of this component focus on landscapes within the GMS of the highest priority for biodiversity conservation action.

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GEF National Strategy Support Project:

Through this project an ICEM team provided guidance on the shape and content of Vietnam's National GEF Strategy with draft objectives, approach, priorities and a proposed approach to monitoring and reporting. ICEM also proposed steps to be followed in drafting and finalizing the National GEF Strategy by an inter-ministerial working group. The project included a review of the GEF portfolio by operational programs over the last 10 years with summaries of the projects undertaken, the funding involved, the implementing agencies and the main lessons. The project analysed the processes and coordination arrangements for accessing GEF funding, for oversight of GEF projects and for monitoring and reporting on implementation in the past. It defined lessons learnt and made recommendations for institutional arrangements, collaboration and harmonization over the coming 5 years in the context of the GEF Resource Allocation Framework (RAF). This work involved an analysis of the implications of RAF for Vietnam and an assessment of Vietnam's capacities according to the GEF criteria which determined the level of support it would receive under the RAF. Finally, the project assessed and defined the national priorities of key sectors, and determined the opportunities and priorities for GEF funding in each of the GEF program areas. On the basis of the background studies, an outline of the format and content of the GEF strategy and the process for its drafting was proposed.

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Vietnam Country Environmental Analysis:

The CEA in Vietnam focused on the manufacturing sector. It is the most comprehensive assessment of industrial pollution in the country so far undertaken. The CEA involved an analysis of Vietnam's economy and major policy influences and trends, a description of the industry sector, its structure, projections and economic challenges, and an analysis of the industry sector's past and current environmental performance including a sub-sector and geographic breakdown. Pollution loads were estimated based on projected changes and growth in the industry sector with an environmental assessment of its impact at national, economic triangle and provincial level. The policy and institutional analysis linked to this study include a description of government's response to industrial pollution in terms of policies, institutions, tools and resources, an analysis of what information is missing and what approaches are available to fill the gaps. Recommendations were made to enhance the industry sector's environmental performance. The ICEM CEA team adopted a SEA methodology for the study.

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Protected Areas Policy Reform Project:

ICEM provided the principle technical input to the IUCN and MARD initiated Protected Areas Policy Reform Project in Vietnam. The goals of the study are to examine experience gained from internationally funded projects focussing on protected areas in Vietnam and to place these recommendations within policy documents accessible to decision makers at all levels of Government. The study will assess how protected area management has been implemented over the last decade, the success of the various management models applied, and the level to which successful on-the-ground management has been taken up within policy and legislative development. It will set out policy proposals on PA planning, management, finance and community involvement as a contribution to existing government legislative initiatives.

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Financial Sustainability for National Systems of Protected Areas:

ICEM took the lead in the Thailand component of a UNDP/GEF initiative to develop a full scale, multi-country, project on protected area financing. This phase involved the ICEM team in design, facilitation, consultation and capacity building. The project had an integrated approach, linking "bottom up" site-based interventions - such as improved PA financial planning which entailed: aligning conservation goals and spending priorities, defining cost-effective management approaches, identifying the overall costs associated with revised management plans, and generating new funding - with "top down" national policy level work. Development of site-based financing strategies was complimented by the identification, and where appropriate and possible, modification of legal and regulatory constraints at the national level. To accomplish this, the project worked with a broad array of government agencies and private sector partners whose decisions influenced the finances of protected areas. This integrated approach formed the hallmark of the project whose goal was to: "Ensure that the foundations, structures and processes are in place to achieve the financial sustainability of national systems of protected areas in up to six countries; and increase the likelihood to achieve financial sustainability in additional protected area systems".

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Strengthening Environmental Management and Land Administration Program:

ICEM is one of three international organizations in a consortium providing the technical backing for implementation of a five year project to strengthen environmental management and land administration in Vietnam. The SEMLA program works at national and, in particular, provincial and lower administrative levels to provide services in terms of reduced pollution and effective and equitable land administration. The program aims to improve capacity at national, provincial and local levels to address pollution prevention, control and rehabilitation and to provide efficient and equitable services in land registration, land information, land use planning and land evaluation. The objective of the national component is "improved capacity to provide and enabling policy and legislative context and implementation arrangements for environment and land management at national and local level". The objective of the provincial component is "improved capacity for implementation of natural resource planning and management in selected provinces".

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Poverty and Environment Initiatives:

ICEM provided principle technical input to the design of UNDP poverty and environment projects in Cambodia and Vietnam. The poverty and environment initiatives aimed to enhance the contribution of environmental protection and sustainable natural resource use to poverty reduction and sustainable growth in the two countries. They focused on the isolated rural poor and the dynamic links between their livelihoods and the quality and maintenance of natural systems in high priority biodiversity areas. The two poverty and environment projects included strengthening (1) policy and planning mechanisms and tools to address poverty-environment challenges; and (2) monitoring and analysis of poverty-environment indicators and policy outcomes. The projects enhanced capacity within the environment sector at national and local levels. In Cambodia, through the small grants activities, the project demonstrated community-level strategies and methods, and strengthened the capacity and capability of local communities, CBOs & NGOs.

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Greater Annamite Mountains Conservation Strategy:

ICEM provided the lead technical input in the WWF initiative in Lao PDR and Vietnam to support the two governments prepare a conservation strategy and action plan for the shared Greater Annamite Mountain chain. The mountains are critical to the development and cultures of the two countries and are one of the world's most important regions for biodiversity conservation. Lao PDR and Vietnam were supported in an intensely consultative process in preparing biodiversity conservation plans for their respective components of the Annamite range. The two national plans identify threats to biodiversity and sustainable development in the region and define priorities for action. While undertaken as separate national planning processes, the two countries consulted regularly and their priority actions have much in common. The Lao PDR and Vietnam Annamite conservation plans are important steps in promoting wise investment in the region. They provide common frameworks of priorities for government and international partners helping to align government and donor programs, and draw on existing initiatives in the ecoregion.

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Action Plan for Improving Forest Management and Conservation in the South-east Agro-ecological Region of Vietnam:

ICEM provided the lead technical input in the WWF initiative in Vietnam to support ten provinces in preparing a conservation and sustainable resource use Action Plan for their shared South-east Agro-ecological region. This Action Plan was based on the Government commitment to conservation and sustainable use of forest resources, to the overall increase in forest cover and quality, and to promoting the role of forests in local and national development by maintaining and enhancing the ecosystem services and products they provide in their natural state. The goal was to conserve the 36% of natural forest remaining in the region as a permanent forest estate, to enhance its quality, and to rehabilitate other important forest lands - all with the purpose of optimising the contribution that forests make to regional development. An important theme of the Action Plan was the need to identify and value those contributions, and to establish mechanisms so that sectors, provinces, and entities benefiting from them pay for their conservation. The Plan was prepared following consultations with the provinces of the region under the umbrella of the Forest Sector Support Program (FSSP), established in 2001 as a partnership between MARD and 19 international organisations (bilateral and multilateral donors, international non-governmental organizations). A priority action underlying all others in this plan was the need to establish a SEAR Regional Forest Conservation Forum involving all provinces in regular consultations and exchange, and facilitating decentralization of the FSSP.

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Review of Protected Areas and Development in the Four Countries of the Lower Mekong River Region:

ICEM led a technical partnership supporting the four Governments of the Lower Mekong Region in a process of comprehensive studies, piloting and consultation. The Review of Protected Areas and Development examined the growing tensions between economic and conservation objectives in the four countries of the Lower Mekong River region. It identified the many development benefits flowing from protected areas and the need to reflect them in the plans and budgets of forestry, agriculture, energy, tourism, fisheries and other key economic sectors. The lessons of more than a decade of protected area management experience in the region were related to new and innovative approaches elsewhere in the world.

Eight volumes were published:

Cambodia National Report
Lao PDR National Report
Thailand National Report
Vietnam National Report
Regional Report
Lessons learned in Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand and Vietnam
Lessons from global experience
Field Studies in Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand and Vietnam


The reports can be downloaded from the ICEM website, the PAD Review website or ordered from ICEM.

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Vietnam Environment and Investment Project:

Over a period of six years, ICEM provided the principle technical advice to Vietnam's Ministry of Planning and Investment in implementation of the Environment and Investment Project, an initiative of UNDP and MPI. The project was concerned with reform to the development planning system in Vietnam so that resources are used sustainably and the environment is maintained and enhanced. The project sought to reinforce changes already taking place in the planning system where they were consistent with the principles of sustainable development, and to test new approaches where needed. The project worked at central level and in three provinces to test and demonstrate a range of innovative planning methods. It led to the National Agenda 21 preparation and implementation project.

An integrated package of handbooks, technical reports and training modules resulting from the project can be downloaded from the UNDP Vietnam website at: www.undp.org.vn/projects/vie97007/Documents.htm

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Biodiversity planning in Asia:

ICEM provided the technical support and facilitation in an IUCN initiated process of consultation and review of the experience with national biodiversity planning in seventeen Asian countries.

Most countries in Asia have now developed - or are preparing - a National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan as a critical process in reversing the negative trends in biodiversity loss. In this project which ran over two years, more than 30 leading conservation managers and policy makers in the countries and key international agencies working in the region were involved in a series of sub-regional meetings and drafting activities to share their views on progress made and on the challenges which lie ahead. Country studies explore how effectively national biodiversity strategies and action planning have been in meeting these goals. They identify the main obstacles to progress, the strengths and weaknesses of the process, its main achievements and the opportunities for improvement.

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Study on Aid to the Environment Sector in Vietnam:

ICEM provided the principle technical input in design and implementation of the multi donor and government study of aid to the environment sector in Vietnam. The study assesses the level and effectiveness of foreign aid to the whole environmental sector, an urgent and important issue, as the Government and donors seek ways to improve Vietnam's capacity to balance social - economic development with environmental conservation. This study of lessons-learned provides needed experience and recommendations for the directions and nature of future actions both by the Government and donor support. The project was the result of active involvement of many Government ministries, agencies, NGOs related to the environmental sector. Close to 200 people contributed to the study, mostly Government officers representing 62 departments and institutes covering 13 ministries; others come from 21 donor agencies, 17 NGOs and 16 environmental aid projects currently operating in Vietnam. Consultative methods were used to optimise the participatory and collective wisdom of a wide spectrum of stakeholders, through working groups, questionnaires and interviews. Eight roundtables were held in two stages with Government, donors and NGOs.

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