Burma Country Commercial Guide
Learn about the market conditions, opportunities, regulations, and business conditions in burma, prepared by at U.S. Embassies worldwide by Commerce Department, State Department and other U.S. agencies’ professionals
Environmental Technology
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For decades, Burma has pursued economic development with insufficient attention to environmental safeguards. As a result, the country is currently dealing with detrimental ecological consequences related to climate change and natural disasters, deforestation, mangrove vegetation loss, deterioration of water and air quality, and land degradation, resulting in flooding and landslides, biodiversity loss, depletion of inland and coastal fisheries, and management of wastewater and solid waste problems. 

Lack of environmental regulation in the energy, agriculture, industrial, and mining sectors added to Burma’s environmental challenges. In terms of ecological governance, Burma scored 177 out of 180 countries measured on the Environmental Performance Index in 2024 and ranked among the world’s least developed countries in environmental management, law, regulation, and infrastructure. Ecosystem vitality and biodiversity protection are especially weak. 

Previous governments made some progress in establishing legal and regulatory frameworks for environmental management. The government enacted the Environmental Conservation Law (ECL) in 2012, followed by the Environmental Conservation Rules (ECR) in 2014 and the Environmental Impact Assessment Procedure (EIA Procedure) in 2015. Burma developed National Environmental Quality (Emission) Guidelines (2015) and sector-specific EIA guidelines for the hydropower, mining, and oil and gas industries. The National Environmental Policy and the Burma Climate Change Policy were released in 2019. These new policies were in harmony with the Burma Sustainable Development Plan 2018-2030 and highlighted the increasing risks of climate change and its impacts on Burma’s economic and social development. Several planned projects addressed environmental management and were supported by development partners such as the World Bank, IFC, ADB, JICA, and UNDP.  Improvements to environmental development projects have largely stalled, however, following the 2021 military coup.

Leading Sub-sectors

Solid Waste Management

Burma faces significant challenges with solid waste management. The key environmental and operational issues arise due to the current practice of open waste dumping and insufficient collection coverage and cleanliness. Landfills are nearly full, and their operation as open dumps is disorganized. Without compaction, waste dumping on steep slopes creates a dangerous situation for waste pickers and reduces landfill capacity.

Contamination of some surface water and groundwater has been observed because of toxic waste components, and contaminated water may affect adjacent farmland. At the same time, surrounding areas are substantially affected by wind-blown light plastic material, and there are risks from methane production, greenhouse gas emissions, and the possibility of landfill fires. Solid waste disposal sites are a significant source of disease for the surrounding population, agricultural lands and workers, and waste collectors.

Previous governments prioritized upgrading existing infrastructure, including waste collection, transportation, recycling, and waste-to-energy technology. With the assistance of international donors, Burma developed a National Waste Management Strategy and Master Plan (2018–2030).

Water Resource Management

Although Burma has abundant water resources, residents in rural areas face difficulties accessing water for drinking and irrigation because of a lack of infrastructure. Crop failure throughout Burma is common due to drought and flooding, inhibiting crop production. There is high demand for advanced technologies for renovating and improving village ponds, wells, and hydroelectric dams, as well as improving rainwater harvesting and management, enhancing water purification in remote villages, reducing flooding risks, and desalination.  

Opportunities

Private sector players are interested in U.S. environmental solutions and technologies. U.S. companies focusing on advanced on-site oxygen generation systems, recycling systems, and recycling technologies may find trade and investment opportunities in Burma. There is also demand for advanced wastewater and water treatment technologies, creating opportunities for U.S. companies that provide water supply, sanitation, drainage, and wastewater management technologies. In addition, products and services related to water softening, pumps, valves, scrapers, sludge dewatering equipment, screening machines, magnetic flowmeters, large chlorinators for water/wastewater systems, and water recycling technologies are also areas that could provide business opportunities for U.S. companies.  

U.S. companies are advised to conduct proper due diligence on local partners. The U.S. Commercial Service Office offers customized services including Initial Market Check (IMC), International Partner Search (IPS), and Virtual Single Company Promotion (SCP) that help U.S. businesses find reputable local business partners.

Resources:  
Environmental Performance Index

Contact Information  
U.S. Commercial Service  
U.S. Embassy, Burma  
Email: Office.Burma@trade.gov

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