return icon Vietnamnet.vn

Vietnam’s Updated Climate Goals Aim at Maximizing the Co-Benefits of Climate Action: researchers

Vietnam has  incorporated a new section into its updated Nationally Determined Contribution under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to emphasize the socio-economic co-benefits of climate action for the country.

 

Vietnam has recently incorporated a new section into its updated  Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to emphasize the socio-economic co-benefits of climate action for the country. A first official cost-benefit analysis has highlighted a list of co-benefits that can help Vietnam meet its socio-economic development goals as well as its SDG commitments.

The work was conducted by Nguyen Anh Minh, Research Fellow under the International Climate Protection Fellowship Program funded by Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, currently affiliated with the Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS), and Sebastian Helgenberger, Project Director COBENEFITS at the IASS.
The following is a summary of the analysis:

Vietnam submitted its updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to the UNFCCC on September 11, 2020, becoming the 13th country to do so up to now. The updated NDC now takes the entire economy into account, including industrial processes (IP) for the period from 2021 to 2030 – an improvement on the previous NDC, where only four sectors were considered: agriculture, energy, waste, and LULUCF (land use, land use change and forestry).

This was the culmination of a comprehensive three-year process led by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE) with the active participation of all related line ministries, and by research institutes, think tanks and experts, development partners, non-governmental organizations, as well as other non-state actors.

By 2030: up to 27% in relative emission reductions but only minor improvement in absolute terms

Using 2014 as a new base year with and an updated national emissions inventory, Vietnam has committed to reducing its GHG emissions by about 7.3% compared to the business-as-usual (BAU) scenario by 2025, and has slightly increased its relative mitigation target for 2030 from 8% in its previous NDC to 9%. The NDC now suggests that this percentage could be increased to 27% by 2030 with international support, a moderate rise compared to the 25% target set in the previous NDC.

However, compared to the previous NDC, in the updated version greenhouse gas (GHG) the ambition level is only seemingly raised: According to a recent analysis by the Climate Action Tracker (CAT), in terms of absolute emissions Vietnam’s NDC update only represents a minor improvement on the previous NDC. This criticism is based on the fact that in its update Vietnam assumes business-as-usual emissions by 2030 that CAT considers to be way above current policy projections. With an overinflated BAU scenario, CAT argues that it will be easier for Vietnam to achieve its envisaged emissions reductions without making any additional effort. For this reason, CAT judges the emission reduction targets in Vietnam’s updated NDC to be “critically insufficient” as they are thought to be consistent with global warming of over 4°C.

Updated NDC suggests multiple co-benefits of decarbonizing the energy sector

The synergies between climate change adaptation, mitigation and socio-economic development are highlighted in the text of the updated NDC and also informed the process of setting targets and prioritizing actions in the NDC review:

Actions taken in different potential sectors can enhance synergy with socio-economic development in different ways. For example, in the energy sector, mitigation measures that can provide synergy with socio-economic development at high to very high levels include wind power, solar power, power-saving lighting, and efficient cooling.

Government of Vietnam (2020): Updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), submitted to UNFCCC on 11.09.2020

All sectors in Vietnam’s updated NDC are thought to provide socio-economic benefits in one way or another. Mitigation measures within the energy sector are considered very promising with a rating of high to very high in terms of synergies with socio-economic development. In particular, wind power, solar power, and other energy efficiency measures are expected to yield potential socio-economic co-benefits. The decline in coal imports will help increase Vietnam’s energy independence as well as encouraging a turn to previously untapped domestic sources of energy like solar and wind and enhancing the country’s energy security.

The energy mitigation measures proposed in this NDC are also expected to contribute to socio-economic development by supporting the development of new industries, creating favorable conditions for investment, strengthening assembly and maintenance services, etc. Significantly, developing mitigation technologies in the power sector, including renewable energies, will lead to more green jobs, higher incomes, and greater economic prosperity.

Investing in climate action, investing in Vietnam’s future

According to the updated NDC, the investment costs of achieving the unconditional commitment (a 9% emissions reduction compared to BAU by 2030) are estimated at about USD 24.7 billion. According to a recent communication by MONRE, these investments would need to be more than doubled, to USD 56 billion, to meet the conditional target of a 27% emissions reduction compared to BAU by 2030. This is a tall order for a lower middle-income country, especially given the recent negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, given the multiple co-benefits addressed by the updated NDC, these investments can be considered as an investment in a future-oriented economy for the Vietnamese people. According to a study conducted by the IASS COBENEFITS project, replacing coal-powered plants with solar or wind will more than double the number of jobs per average megawatt (MW) power generation capacity. In the 15-year period from 2015 to 2030, solar and wind are expected to create 3.5 jobs and 2.8 jobs respectively per average installed MW capacity, compared to just 1.4 jobs/MW in coal-based power generation. Similar studies have been recently published on the positive impacts on people’s health and rural development.

{keywords}
Figure 1 Employment Co-Benefits of decarbonizing Vietnam’s power sector (IASS/COBENEFITS 2019: www.cobenefits.info)

Such a transformational investment in a low-carbon economy will not only contribute to staying within the temperature limit set by the Paris Agreement and advancing the various SDGs, but will also ensure a green recovery post COVID-19 in the medium term. Furthermore, by identifying strategic tasks aimed at improving adaptive capacity, enhancing resilience, and reducing climate-induced risks, the adaptation component in the updated NDC can also contribute to achieving Vietnam’s sustainable development strategy.

Given the scope of the required initial investments, international climate partnerships like the International Climate Initiative (IKI) of Germany and international climate finance can serve as a catalyst, helping Vietnam to seize the identified opportunities and make the Paris Agreement a success for the planet and people.

NDC Co-Benefits Communication: Rallying domestic support and creating global momentum for climate action

By including a chapter on the socio-economic co-benefits of climate policies in its updated NDC, the Government of Vietnam has highlighted the multiple benefits of ambitious climate action. To ensure that Vietnam’s progress will be assessed for the next national reporting on the NDCs, monitoring and reporting structures and processes in relation to socio-economic co-benefits should be established. This would lay the foundation for evaluating and, if needed, broadening the activities necessary to realize ambitious renewable energy targets and create an enabling environment for the range of available co-benefits.

Apart from revealing potential opportunities and rallying domestic support for climate action, addressing co-benefits in NDC-related communications can spark imitation and contribute to creating a global momentum for building strong alliances for ambitious and early climate action. VNA

Minister warns about development of small-scale hydropower

Minister warns about development of small-scale hydropower

Answering the local press on the sidelines of the National Assembly session, Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment Tran Hong Ha said the principle of his ministry is ‘not to develop small-scale hydropower at any cost’.

Vietnam inspires the world in climate change response

Vietnam inspires the world in climate change response

After five years of efforts to carry out the international commitment on climate change and reduction of greenhouse gas emission, 

MORE NEWS

E-commerce accounts for 60% of Vietnamese digital economy

Vietnam’s digital economy saw the gross merchandise value (GMV) reaching US$23 billion last year, with e-commerce making up over 60%.

VIETNAM NEWS HEADLINES MARCH 25/2023

Vietnam in sustainable management phase of Covid-19 pandemic: WHO representative

3 million SIM cards with incorrect information to be locked by March 31

About 3 million mobile phone subscribers whose personal information registration doesn’t match the national population database will have their phone service cut off by the end of this month, the Ministry of Information and Communications has said.

VIETNAM BUSINESS NEWS MARCH 25/2023

Corporate bond issuance surges in March after prolonged inactivity

Vietnam Airlines announces flight cancelation due to strike in Germany

Strikes at Germany’s Frankfurt Airport led to a massive cancellation of flights from Hanoi and HCMC to the German metropolis from March 26-28.

Bamboo Airways to issue nearly one billion shares

Bamboo Airways has revealed plans to raise nearly VND10 trillion (US$424.1 million) by issuing 996.2 million shares.

SEA Games torch carried through streets of Hanoi

Brimming with symbolism, the torch was ceremoniously lit from a small lamp that had landed on Vietnam’s soil two days prior, and had been carefully guarded at the Cambodian Embassy.

British experts discover new untouched caves in Quang Binh

Five new caves where humans have never set foot were recently discovered in Lam Hoa commune of Tuyen Hoa district in the central province of Quang Binh by experts of the British Royal Cave Association.

30 Indonesians fall victim to Malaysia human trafficking ring in Vietnam

The police in Ho Chi Minh City have busted a human trafficking ring involving Malaysian nationals that allegedly deceived 30 Indonesians for property appropriation in Vietnam.

Over 103,000 TB cases detected in Vietnam last year

Vietnam detected 103,120 tuberculosis (TB) patients in 2022, up nearly 31% year-on-year, and 1.8% against that of 2020.

Vietnam commits to cross-border water development goals: Deputy PM

Vietnam pledges to further enhance cooperation with international organisations and partners to achieve sustainable cross-border water development goals, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha has said.

Vietnam tourism promoted in Japan

A workshop on Vietnamese tourism and carriers, co-hosted by Vietnam Airlines and travel operator Thien Minh Group (TMG), took place in Tokyo on March 24, gathering 80 travel companies and airlines from both nations.

Hanoi seeks support from UNESCO in restoration of Kinh Thien Palace

Hanoi asked for continued support from the UNESCO World Heritage Centre (WHC) for a project to restore Kinh Thien Palace in the Thang Long Imperial Citadel in Hanoi, which was recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2010.

CAAV suggests more time for piloting biometric authentication

The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) has proposed continuing pilot application of biometric authentication (facial recognition) at airports’ check-in desks.

Netflix to set up representative legal entity in Vietnam

Netflix is carrying out procedures with the Ministry of Planning and Investment to establish its representative legal entity in Vietnam.
back_to_top