Environmental & Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) in Laos

MONRE-accredited ESIA and IEE studies for hydropower, transport, mining, energy and industrial projects, delivered from Vientiane since 2005.

What an ESIA involves in Laos

An Environmental and Social Impact Assessment evaluates the environmental and social impacts a proposed project may have, and sets out how they will be avoided, reduced or managed. In Laos, an ESIA is required for large-scale developments such as hydropower, mining and infrastructure. Smaller projects are assessed through an Initial Environmental Examination (IEE). CaA prepares both.

Studies follow the guidelines of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE), which has accredited CaA, and meet the requirements of international lenders such as the World Bank, ADB and JICA. We handle the process from the first submission to final approval.

A typical ESIA takes between six and twelve months, depending on the size and complexity of the project. Baseline data collection, impact assessment, stakeholder consultation and report preparation are the main stages.

What we deliver

Baseline studies: socio-economic and environmental data collected in the field for the project area.
Impact assessment reports: ESIA, IEE or EIA reports prepared to MONRE and lender standards.
Management and monitoring plans: Environmental and Social Management and Monitoring Plans (ESMMP / ESMP), including updates of existing plans.
Resettlement planning: Inventory of Loss (IOL) surveys and Resettlement Action Plans (RAP) where households are affected (more on resettlement).
Stakeholder consultation with affected communities and local government.

ESIA experience by sector

A selection of assessments we have carried out. The full list is on our projects page.

Hydropower

Nam Phak Hydro Project: ESIA, RAP, EDP and IEE for roads and transmission lines, and support in negotiating the Social Environmental Standard Obligation (SESO) in the Concession Agreement (ADB and private funds, 2.5 years, completed).
Namphak Hydro Power Project, Pakxong, Champasack: ESIA including the Inventory of Loss (IOL) for affected villages and households.
Nam Theun 1 Hydro Power: EIA, Environmental and Social Management Plan and Resettlement Action Plan for the up- and downstream areas (2007).

Roads and transport

Boten-Houaxay Expressway, 180 km from the China border to the Thailand border: ESIA, ESMMP and RAP (completed February 2021).
National Road No. 6, Phoulao to Hanglong (107 km), Houaphan: Inventory of Loss, IEE, ESMMP and RAP following ADB's Safeguard Policy Statement 2009 (completed April 2022).
Lao Road Sector Project 2, National Road 13 South: review of the ESIA, ESMP and RAP documents for Packages 1-4 for the World Bank, EIB and AIIB.

Energy

100 MW solar farm, Naseuak Village, Khong District, Champasack: EIA for the construction and operation of a solar farm covering 130 ha (completed January 2024).

Mining and industry

Copper smelting factory, Special Economic Zone, Sepon District, Savannakhet: EIA for construction and operation (from May 2024).
300,000-ton pulp mill, Savannakhet: updated ESIA for the construction phase, including the thermal power plant (2019); earlier EIA, management plan and RAP (2009).
Tapioca starch factory, Champasack: environmental and social study and EIA for a 300 tonne/day plant (completed December 2023).

Water and waste

Pakse DEWATS: socio-economic and environmental baseline for the IEE of wastewater treatment in five villages (2021).
ADB water supply project, Xaysomboun: IEE and EMMP for new water supply systems in three districts (2023).

Planning a project in Laos?

Tell us about your project and we will explain which assessment applies and what it involves. You can also read our answers to common questions about ESIA in Laos, or learn more about CaA.