Climate Change

Climate change is already occurring in Vietnam and will intensify in the coming decades. Climate change poses a major threat to development in Vietnam, where more than 50% of the labour force and income depend on climate-sensitive natural resources. In addition, the majority of the population live in coastal areas and lowland deltas subject to sea level rise and flooding. Old and inefficient infrastructure and current social development paths may increase economic vulnerability without considering potential changes in temperature, rainfall, and other climatic variables.

In recent years, extreme climate events have been recorded with increasing intensity and frequency. In addition, Vietnam has high and increasing exposure to the moderate impacts associated with slow onset sea level rise, ocean warming, and acidification, as well as the abrupt impacts associated with tropical cyclones and rapidly rising extreme heat. In the Mekong River delta reduced flow and sediment from transboundary hydropower development and rising sea levels are causing saline intrusion and damaging paddy irrigation areas. Given the multiple pathways through which climate change will affect Vietnam, economic and social impacts are likely to be significant and far-reaching. A variety of sectors and areas are being affected by climate change, including agriculture, aquaculture, urban dwellers, human health, and infrastructure. Moreover, climate change impacts the country's valuable coastal zones, where more than 60% of the coastal population depend on marine resources for their livelihoods. Coral reefs and mangroves are valued at $2 billion and $83 million per year, respectively, for their contributions to fishing, tourism, and storm protection [7].