SUMERNET releases a booklet of policy briefings

SUMERNET has brought out a booklet of policy briefings as a product of ten research projects in the Mekong region in phase 2 (2010-2013). 

(1) Ecosystem Services, Resource Use and Impacts: Available evidence suggests that many types of ecosystem services (benefits people obtain from the ecosystem) are being degraded and managed unsustainably across the Mekong Region.   

(2) Transboundary Issues: In the Mekong Region, transboundary flows of goods and services appear to be growing in importance. With this overwhelming but uneven increase in interconnectedness, however, risks and burdens are also created.

(3) Energy & Climate Change: The geography of the region is already vulnerable to natural catastrophes. Climate change impacts are already being observed, and are expected to intensify in the future. The Mekong Basin people have been, and will continue to be, affected by it. The Mekong Region needs to develop infrastructure to mitigate and adapt to these changes, at the same time, prioritising economic integration that promotes equitable development.    

(4) Poverty & Livelihoods:  In recent years, land- and water-based livelihoods of small and marginal groups have become increasingly unsustainable. This last chapter addresses sustainable planning for environment and livelihoods.         

The SUMERNET partners hope that the policy recommendations at the end of each study will help to stimulate independent discussions on key regional issues, and aid decision-makers and stakeholders to foster more effective and sustainable policies and programmes.