Abstract

Emergy (spelled with an "m") concept is the basic for a science-based evaluation system representing both the environmental values and the economic values with a common measure. Emergy analysis of Lower Mekong River Basin (LMRB) was performed to show the important contribution of water and soil environmental resources and agricultural activities as well to its economic development. The most important renewable resource is the chemical potential of rain of 1429.23E+20 sej/yr. The second most important renewable resource is the chemical potential of river of 362.68E+20 sej/yr. About 49% of the total emergy used was derived from local resources. Agriculture is the main economic activity in LMRB with the contribution of 36% of total emergy used. The renewable carrying capacity was equal to 38% of the basin population. Based on emergy indices, the current status of LMRB is at the boundary between sustainability and unsustainability.