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| A view of the Dong Hai 1 Windfarm, Trà Vinh province__Photo: VNA |
By 2030, Vietnam will complete climate-resilient infrastructure and enhance capacity for disaster prevention and adaptation, according to Resolution 122/NQ-CP released by the Government to promulgate a plan to tackle climate change, improve natural resource management and protect the environment.
The plan aims to implement the contents of the Political Bureau’s Conclusion 81-KL/TW dated June 4, 2024, on futher implementation of the 11th Party Central Committee’s Resolution 7 on proactively responding to climate change, strengthening natural resource management, and environmental protection.
The plan prioritizes building resilience across natural ecosystems, the economy, and communities, while investing in smart adaptation strategies. Forecasting and early warning systems will be strengthened to reduce the impact of extreme weather events, with a strong focus on ensuring human safety during storms and floods. Authorities also aim to ensure that most households in disaster-prone areas will have access to safe housing.
In terms of emissions reduction, the plan targets a decrease in greenhouse gas emissions compared to ‘business-as-usual’ scenarios. It promotes energy conservation and the increased use of renewable energy in the national energy mix.
For natural resource management, the Government will accelerate the mapping of key mineral and marine resources, expand geological surveys, and assess coastal and offshore areas. Sustainable water use will be a priority, with more efficient irrigation, tighter controls, and reduced losses. Efforts will address water scarcity and drought in the dry season, particularly in the south-central region, the Central Highlands, the Mekong Delta, and remote island communities. The plan also commits to maintaining 3.5 million hectares of land for rice cultivation to support food security and economic development.
On environmental protection, the Government intends to ensure that all industrial zones have centralized wastewater treatment systems meeting national standards. It expects more than half of the domestic wastewater in second-tier urban areas and above to be properly treated. Contaminated land, especially areas polluted by wartime chemicals and dioxins, will be fully remediated. Urban air quality and clean water access for both rural and urban populations will be improved. Public awareness campaigns will be expanded to promote unified understanding and proactive engagement on climate and environmental issues.
The Government is calling for a nationwide shift toward sustainable consumption, green growth, low-carbon development, and the circular economy. Environmental education will start early, from primary school, to build long-term awareness. Legal frameworks on climate action and environmental governance will be updated and strengthened. A new national strategy will address non-traditional security threats by 2030, with a vision to 2045.
Administrative structures at both central and local levels will be streamlined to improve efficiency and responsiveness. Integrated policy mechanisms and inter-agency coordination will be enhanced to ensure coherence across sectors and regions. Financial instruments and market-based tools will be used to mobilize resources for climate resilience and environmental protection. Key environmental laws, including those on meteorology, hydrology, energy efficiency, marine resources, biodiversity, and forestry, will be revised.
The national strategy for green growth will be implemented through 2030, with a long-term vision to 2050. Pilot models of green urban and rural economies will be promoted and expanded, along with initiatives for sustainable production and consumption. Investment will be prioritized to combat environmental degradation, biodiversity loss, and resource depletion, all while advancing toward the long-term goal of net-zero emissions.
Comprehensive programs and projects will be launched between 2026 and 2030 to address urgent environmental challenges and strengthen climate adaptation. Vietnam will implement its national circular economy action plan through 2035, with ministries and local governments developing specific roadmaps linked to digital transformation. Research and pilot projects will guide sectoral adoption, while the Government evaluates material use to shape future resource policies.- (VLLF)
