Special edition  » The climate for change

Vietnam’s biggest long-term environmental challenge will be how to deal with the projected effects of climate change, which will include more frequent and intense floods, droughts and typhoons, altered river flows, changing wildlife habitats, ocean acidification and the consequences of sea level rises on cities and agriculture.

The Vietnamese government recognises that climate change effects go beyond the environment to include the economy, public health and national security. The National Target Programme to Respond to Climate Change, approved by the prime minister, provides a comprehensive framework for adaptation and mitigation programmes.

Michael Michalak

Given Vietnam’s vulnerability and its proactive response to climate change, the United States seeks to cooperate with Vietnam to address local impacts and to coordinate global policies. US interventions, integrated with those from other international partners, can assist Vietnam to develop effective adaptation initiatives to protect its people, agriculture and economy. In the multilateral arena, we will work with Vietnam to adopt comprehensive, effective and equitable strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Looking forward, we want to assist Vietnam to build a low-carbon economy.

Recently, our two nations joined together in several areas and we hope to increase our future engagement. In 2008, the US and Vietnam created a new climate change subcommittee under our bilateral Science and Technology Agreement. USAID supports activities in Vietnam focusing on cleaner coal and energy-efficient lighting.

The US Geological Survey created the Delta Research and Global Observation Network (DRAGON) to facilitate cooperation among US and Vietnamese experts to address climate change-related threats to the Mekong Delta. The US Forest Service promotes afforestation measures, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association assists Vietnamese coastal management efforts and the US Department of Energy helps Vietnam develop a safe and secure civilian nuclear power sector, all of which boost Vietnam’s climate change response efforts.

Most recently, at the July 2009 Mekong Ministerial Meeting attended by Secretary Clinton, the US committed to partnering four lower Mekong countries, including Vietnam, to look at the impacts of climate change and hydropower development on the lower Mekong basin and to foster a sister river relationship between the Mississippi River Commission and the Mekong River Commission.

Of course, the US private sector, NGOs and researchers are also joining with Vietnamese partners to boost local capacity, develop creative adaptation and mitigation strategies and to learn from Vietnamese experiences. We also understand that all concerned parties need to coordinate efforts to avoid overlaps and prevent gaps. Therefore, the US actively participates in the donor group on climate change to assure consistency with other international partners and to create a forum for international consultations with the Vietnamese government.