Mekong countries remain relatively well-endowed in natural capital, but signs of pressure and stress on the region’s natural capital are becoming more apparent alongside rapid rates of growth and market development. Escalating land, resource and infrastructure demands arising from urbanization and industrialization combined with a rapidly growing human population means that biodiversity and ecosystem services in the Mekong countries currently face unprecedented threats. At the same time, climate change is affecting ecological productivity and economic vulnerabilities in ways that may encourage even greater pressures on the natural system and cause progressively greater stresses to human and economic systems.
Given the importance of natural capital stocks and ecosystem services in the GMS countries, as well as the international attention given to the concept of green economy in recent years, GMS countries have started to consider the contribution that green growth could make to the resilience of their economies and societies. Shifting to a green economy recognizes the value of nature for millions of people in the GMS, now and in the future. Many are moving forward on a green growth agenda in the understanding that this development pathway offers the potential for sustainable economic development with more equitable sharing of the gains. Currently, there are a number of unique opportunities for the transition to a green economy. This report focuses on some signals of policy progress on this transition, barriers to progress, and recommendations for moving the agenda forward.