Urban areas in Lao PDR face increasing flood risks due to rapid urbanization, climate change, and the degradation of natural ecosystems that traditionally regulate water flows. The Nature-based Solution for Urban Adaptation (NATURA) project, supported by the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), aims to strengthen urban resilience by restoring and enhancing ecosystem services that mitigate flooding while supporting sustainable livelihoods. The project focuses on implementing nature-based interventions in selected urban sub-catchments, including a wetland area that plays a critical role in natural water retention and flood regulation. The project also promotes community awareness of the importance of ecosystem services in flood management and climate adaptation. By integrating ecological restoration with community preparedness and livelihood opportunities, NATURA contributes to safer and more resilient urban development.

LCG, serving as sub-consultant to Alluvium Group (Australia), supported the preparation of the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) for the NATURA project. LCG coordinated national specialists and field teams and contributed to the development of the project’s inception report, work plan, baseline report, Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA), and Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP). The team led the collection and synthesis of environmental and social baseline data and prepared a Lao-language non-technical summary to support stakeholder engagement. LCG also supported the procurement process for environmental monitoring equipment and oversaw its installation to facilitate data collection and ongoing environmental monitoring.

Through its contributions to the ESIA process, LCG helped ensure that the NATURA project integrates robust environmental and social safeguards while maximizing the benefits of nature-based solutions for urban flood management. The assessment supports informed decision-making and sustainable project implementation, helping to protect wetland ecosystems, strengthen community resilience, and promote inclusive urban adaptation strategies in Lao PDR.