Climate change in Vietnam

Increasing atmospheric concentrations of green house gases (GHGs) result from emission GHGs of human activities has raised much serious concern and attention of the world recently. Climate change impacts on the ecological environment, threats to our daily lives and routine industrial activities.

Beyond to these danger and challenges, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) sets the general framework for international efforts to address climate change. The UNFCCC was opened for signature in 1992 and entered into force in 1994. The ultimate objective of the UNFCCC is to achieve stabilization of atmosphere concentrations of greenhouse gases at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system.

Kyoto Protocol (KP) of UNFCCC was adopted at the third session of Conference of Parties (COP-3) in Kyoto, Japan in 1997. The most important substance of the KP involves the legally-binding GHG emission targets for Annex I Parties. The commitment amount of total emissions cut among developing countries is at average of 5,2% from 1990 levels by the first commitment period 2008-2012. Vietnam ratified UNFCCC on 16 November 1994 and KP on 25 September 2002. Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment was assigned by the Government of Vietnam as a National Focal Agency for taking part in and implementing the UNFCCC and KP. The International Cooperation Department of MONRE was designated as a Clean Development Mechanism National Authority (CNA) in Vietnam in March 2003. CDM National Executive and Consultative Board (CNECB) was established in April 2003 with representatives from related Ministries and Offices.