A farmer burns his dried-up rice on a paddy field stricken by drought in Soc Trang province in Mekong Delta in Vietnam. Photo by Reuters/Kham

Hanoi, November 03, 2016, the Viet Nam Government has ratified the Paris Agreement of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (Paris Agreement)

Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, on October 31, 2016, signed Resolution No. 39/NQ-CP on behalf of the Government of Viet Nam, ratifying the Paris Agreement. Just few day earlier, on October 28, 2016, the Action Plan to implement the Paris Agreement was issued by the Prime Minister. On November 03, 2016, the Instrument of Approval was submitted to the United Nation Secretary-General. 

Having ratified the Paris Agreement and the Action Plan to implement it, Việt Nam was making efforts to join the international community in dealing with climate change, the most serious challenge to our planet.

The Paris Agreement, adopted at the 21st session of the Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, is the first legally binding document for all Parties to address climate change. This is reflected in the intended nationally determined contributions (INDCs) of Parties.

The agreement, signed by about 180 Parties at the United Nations Headquarters in April 2016, has been ratified by 95 Parties so far, including Vietnam.

The adoption of the Paris Agreement has opened up a new era of development on the globe, characterised by low carbon development, environmentally-friendly production and consumption models, reduced reliance on fossil fuels, and promotion of renewable energy.

To achieve Vietnam’s committments to the agreement, the environment ministry has actively been co-operating with relevant ministries and development partners to develop the Action Plan through 2030.

The plan outlines systematic tasks and solutions to adapt to climate change, mitigate greenhouse gases, mobilise resources, create transparency of responses and supports, and strengthen state management of climate change.
Vietnam plans to reduce 8 per cent of its greenhouse gas pollution by 2030, and is aiming at 25 per cent reduction with adequate support from the international community.

It is estimated that Vietnam is in need of US$30 billion to pay for climate change adaptation and mitigation activities through 2020.