As one of the countries most affected by climate change, Vietnam's implementation of the Paris Agreement on coping with climate change will contribute to solving the problem of climate change in a radical way in the next decades. Therefore, the Government has assigned the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, in collaboration with ministries, sectors and stakeholders, to build Vietnam's plan to implement the Paris agreement and submit to the Prime Minister for consideration and approval in October 2016.
This content is published at a consultation workshop on the plan for implementation of the Paris Agreement. The workshop was held by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE) in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Federal Ministry for Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety (BMUB) that recently authorised German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) in Hanoi.
The Paris Agreement adopted at the 21st Conference of the Parties to the Framework Convention of the United Nations on climate change (COP21), is the 1st global legal document giving of all parties binding responsibility in response to climate change.
Implementing the guidance of the Prime Minister, the draft implementation plan for Paris Agreement has been completed with the assistance directly from UNDP, GIZ, UNEP and is being consulted by ministries.
The draft consists of five main components: determine Intended Nationally Determined Contribution of Vietnam (INDC) and take advantage of the opportunity to develop the economy in the direction of low carbon; Identify activities to implement INDC and increase resilience of communities and ensure people's livelihood; Prepare human resources, technology and financing contributing to the implementation of mitigation, adaptation and other obligations stipulated by the Paris Agreement; Establish and operate Measuring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) to monitor and evaluate the implementation of adaptation, mitigation, preparation of resources under the provisions of the Paris agreement; complete institutions and policies to create a favourable environment and focus national efforts to cope with climate change; strengthen coordination in handling regional issues, interdisciplinary; attract private resources and international support.
According to Minister Tran Hong Ha of Natural Resources and Environment, implementing the Paris Agreement in Vietnam needs joint efforts of the State, businesses, the scientific community, intellectuals, and individuals along with the international community to respond to global climate change and protect the earth for sustainable development for the current and future generations. So to have a feasible plan, it is essential all relevant parties get involved.
Mr Haoliang Xu, Director of Asia and the Pacific for UNDP, said that the two key areas of Vietnam in implementing targets under the INDC is energy and forestry. The participation and contributions of domestic and foreign enterprises are very important in the implementation of the goals set out in the Paris Agreement.
"The private sector can also contribute to reducing costs for research and development through the application of advanced technology adapted to the specific conditions of Vietnam. This technology will help reduce greenhouse emissions, leveraging the advantages of renewable energy and environmental protection,” said Haoliang Xu.
Comments from the workshop will help the MONRE and Task Force on Implementation Paris Agreement Plan finalise the draft plan of Vietnam and submit to the Government for consideration and approval later this year.
Quynh Chi
Vietnamese
