Key policies and governance approach

In recent years, Vietnam has developed and issued several important policies on climate change response at the national level, such as the Resolution of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Viet Nam on the orientation of Viet Nam’s National Energy Development Strategy to 2030, with a vision to 2045 (2020); Viet Nam’s Renewable Energy Development Strategy to 2030, with a vision to 2050 (2015); the Plan for Implementation of the Paris Agreement (PIPA) (2016); Vietnam’s Power Development Plan for the 2021 – 2030 period (PDP VIII); among others.

In 2020, Vietnam submitted its updated NDC. The updated NDC identifies economy-wide mitigation measures for the period 2021-2030 that spans the energy, agriculture, waste, land use, land use change and forestry, and industrial sectors. The NDC also identifies targets and pathways to improve adaptive capacity, enhance resilience, and reduce risks caused by climate change, and includes loss and damage, health, gender equality, and child protection, in line with the National Adaptation Plan (NAP).

Further, Vietnam notes that in addition to advancing SDG 13 (climate action), its updated NDC makes a large contribution to SDG 11 (sustainable cities and communities) and SDG 12 (responsible consumption and production), among other Goals.

Successes and Remaining Challenges

Vietnam is making positive efforts to address climate change. As a result of forest protection and afforestation programmes, land use change and forestry sectors, since 2010, have gradually shifted from emitting GHGs to absorbing GHGs. In addition, in recent years, there have been positive developments in Vietnam’s renewable energy policy, including Viet Nam’s Renewable Energy Development Strategy to 2030, with a vision to 2050 (2015). However, this does not yet outweigh Vietnam’s carbon intensive plans.

The implementation of Vietnam’s updated NDC requires extensive financial, technological, and human resources, in which Vietnam’s capacity is limited. The need for disaster prevention and control and adaptation in response to sea level rise and urban flooding is enormous. However, Vietnam’s limited national resources may be required for different purposes, especially given that Vietnam is still a lower middle-income country with a poverty rate likely to increase. In addition, the implementation of the NDC will likely have some negative impacts on the implementation of the country's socio-economic development goals, which could result in trade-offs with Vietnam’s climate goals.

Goals and Ambitions

At COP 26, Vietnam made a commitment to stop deforestation by 2030 and phase out coal-fueled power generation by 2040.