Countries across the global have committed to create a new international climate agreement by the conclusion of the COP 21.

Under the commitment, each country has to outline what post-2020 climate actions it intends to take under the new international climate agreement, known as the Intended National Determined Contributions.

The INDC pairs national policy-setting – in which countries determine their contributions in the context of their national priorities, circumstances and capabilities – with a global framework that drives collective action toward a low-carbon, climate-resilient future.

Pham Van Tan, deputy head of Department of Meteorology, Hydrology and Climate Change said at a policy dialogue on climate change before COP 21 held on September 17 that the Vietnam's INDC, which had two components including adaptation and mitigation, were consulted by international and domestic experts.

The adaptation component will present the country's priorities in adapting to climate changes between 2021 and 2030. In the meantime, the mitigation component provides the national detailed plan in GHG discharge reduction during 2021-30.

Tan said Vietnam now ranked 31st in greenhouse gas discharge worldwide. Vietnam, especially the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta region – where about 20 million people lived in, was known as one of the areas suffering the most from climate change.

It was predicted that the average temperatures would rise 2-4 degrees Celsius in the country, and 40 per cent of the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta's area would be submerged by 2100, he said.

Thus, the compilation and implementation of the INDC was very important to Vietnam in coping with climate change, he said.

Participating in COP 21 negotiations would give a chance to Vietnam to be involved in setting up global policies related to climate change adaptation and mitigation, Tan said.

Vu Minh Hai, chairwoman of the Climate Change Working Group said she hoped the COP 21 would reach an agreement.

Hai suggested Vietnam and other countries joining in the COP 21 should adopt mechanisms to finance activities to cope with climate change in developing countries such as the Green Climate Fund.

The policy dialogue on climate change before COP 21 was co-organised by the French Development Agency and Oxfam Vietnam.

As scheduled, 196 parties will meet in Paris at the 21st Conference of Parties (COP) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to finalise a new climate change agreement in December.

The agreement is intended to set the main parameters for the next era of international climate action following the Kyoto Protocol, with obligations for all countries according to their historic responsibilities and respective capabilities.

With the right political leadership and commitment, an ambitious and just agreement can be secured that will limit global warming and promote climate action on the ground by scaling up funding for the most vulnerable people and countries.