The climate change response in Vietnam has shifted from focusing on adaptation to combining greenhouse gas emission reductions and taking advantage of opportunities to move towards a green, low carbon economy, heard a conference in Hanoi on Wednesday.
Young people clean a coastal area in Nha Trang City, central Khánh Hòa Province at an event in June.
The conference aimed to collect consultation of ministries, sectors, foreign organisations and local authorities of 25 northern provinces and cities on the 10-year implementation of Resolution No. 24-NQ/TW.
Resolution No. 24-NQ/TW on proactively responding to climate change, strengthening natural resource management and environmental protection was issued by the Party Central Committee in 2013.
It was approved in the context that Vietnam was stepping up industrialisation and modernisation, aiming at basically becoming an industrial country by 2020. The resolution set out the Party’s major policies in responding to climate change, resource management and environmental protection in Vietnam.
Nguyễn Duy Hưng, deputy head of the Central Economic Commission, said after 10 years of the resolution’s implementation, public awareness of natural disaster prevention, control and climate response, resource management and environmental protection has improved.
The capacity of natural disaster prevention, combat and climate change response has increased. Natural resources have been managed and used more efficiently than in the past.
According to a draft summary report on the 10-year resolution’s implementation, responding to climate change, resource management and environmental protection have received more attention. The environment is considered a condition, a foundation and a prerequisite for sustainable socio-economic development.
Institutions and policies have been improved one step further with new thinking in line with international practices.
The report also highlighted more sustainable natural resource investigation, evaluation and management.
Mindsets on environmental protection have changed from passive to proactive prevention and control of major pollution sources. The circular economy has also been institutionalised.
Economic growth has gradually reduced its dependence on the mining industry. Many models of green economy, including green urban and rural areas have been implemented.
Vietnam has also integrated climate change response and environmental protection objectives into development plans and established an integrated and unified database system on climate change, natural resources and the environment.
Digital transformation has been strengthened to promote the connection and sharing of environmental resource information and databases.
The conference pointed out that the damage caused by natural disasters is still huge, and the evolution and impacts of climate change are increasing.
Participants at the conference noted that natural resource exploitation has not been sustainable without economical and effective methods. The intensity of natural resource and energy use in Vietnam is high compared to the world.
Experts also recommended mission updates in the resolution and key solutions of climate change response in the context of emerging environmental issues.