Nhan Dan Online-  The Danish International Development Agency (Danida) Board in Copenhagen has just approved a new climate change programme of approximately US $ 40 million for Vietnam in its climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts.

According to the Embassy of Denmark in Vietnam, the programme’s objective is to contribute to Vietnam’s sustainability in economic, social development, and poverty alleviation through increased capacity of the country to adapt to climate change and increase mitigation efforts.

The programme is planned to be implemented during 5 years, starting from 1 January 2009, with a close partnership of Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE) and Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT).

The programme has two components, called climate change adaptation and climate change mitigation, which are coordinated by MONRE and MOIT.

The climate change adaptation component supports the preparation and implementation of the upcoming National Target Programme in Responding to Climate Change (NTP RCC).

The expected outcomes are that Vietnam’s future development will be more resilient against climate change and the future livelihoods of the communities in two provinces (Quang Nam and Ben Tre) who live under threat of adverse climatic effects will be enhanced.  It is also expected that Vietnam’s use of energy will be more efficient both within enterprises and in large commercial buildings which contributes to the country’s effort of moving toward a low carbon economy. 

Because of its long low-lying coastline and exposure to typhoons, storms, heavy and variable rainfall, Vietnam is believed to be one of the 5 most vulnerable countries in the world to climate change. It is estimated that sea levels may rise by 33 cm by 2050 and up to 1 meter by 2100. A recent study has suggested that a 1-metre rise in sea level would affect approximately 5 % of Vietnam’s land area, 11 % of the population, impact on 7 % of agriculture, and reduce Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 10 %.

DT