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Climate Change Research & the UN in Viet Nam
Introduction
The scale of climate change impacts over the coming decades in Viet Nam is enormous, and
is affecting many sectors and regions, especially the social groups most vulnerable to
intensifying natural disasters and to gradual changes in for example agro-ecological zones.
Viet Nam is also a rapidly developing economy, with increasing energy demand in industry
and households, and it requires major investments in energy generation.
Viet Nam’s research capacities should be mobilised, and geographic and thematic research
data should be pulled together. There should be strong cooperation between knowledge
centres, and perhaps a national scientific committee to lead research on climate change
(CC) and its impacts, a Viet Nam Panel on Climate Change. Analytical work should be
supported by the UN and other international organisations as well as international centres of
excellence, and feed into policy processes in the country and beyond.
It should happen in full coherence with, and as support to the National Target Programme on
Responding to Climate Change (NTP) and in the initial phase 2009-2010. It should also link
to other policy instruments such as the National Disaster Mitigation Strategy until 2020, the
NTP on Energy Efficiency, and the forthcoming NTP on Water Resources.
Climate Change Adaptation
Climate change effects and risks must be mainstreamed into development planning and
investment. Most adaptation actions are not new to Viet Nam and are about doing more and
better of what would be done without CC. However, several climate change effects are new
to specific regions and communities, such as typhoons and saline water intrusion; and in the
longer term there are shifts in rainfall patterns and temperatures, affecting all regions. This
means that local knowledge and awareness of climate change consequences is still very
limited, and that structural adaptation measures have not yet been locally adopted.
In-depth research is needed on vulnerability and resilience of livelihoods of women and men,
of lowlanders and uplanders, for strengthening adaptation measures in the near future and
formulating those that will benefit future generations. Climate change already affects the
rural social groups that are most vulnerable to natural disasters; and coastal cities face
increasing threats. Research should lead to appropriate and feasible adaptation proposals.
Climate change adaptation means that many investments should increase or be given higher
priority than otherwise, and new initiatives are needed. Community capacities to strengthen
disaster preparedness and adapt livelihood strategies are needed across the country. The
designs of dykes and other infrastructure should be adjusted based on improved spatial
planning and the routine use of frameworks such as Integrated Coastal Zone Management
(ICZM), Integrated Watershed Development & Management (IWDM), and Strategic
Environmental Assessment (SEA). Research and Development (R&D) in critical fields such
as agricultural cropping systems and crop varieties should be strengthened drastically.
Forests need to be improved dramatically, including mangrove forests. Major works will be
needed to protect harbours and industrial areas. Whole communities will need to be
relocated. And all this must involve both women and men at every stage.
Discussion DRAFT for UN organisations in Viet Nam --- 22 Jan 2009
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Green House Gas Mitigation
Viet Nam has growing international responsibilities to address the causes of climate change,
through ‘Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions’ (NAMAs). Indeed, there are opportunities
to pursue a low carbon economy with a range of technologies that can be applied in industry
and households with financial gains, and in the construction sector. Green house gas (GHG)
mitigation is also possible in ways that are economically, socially and environmentally
beneficial in agriculture, forestry and livestock, where they may be combined with adaptive
measures. In particular, the REDD (Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and forest
Degradation) is being developed as an opportunity for strengthening sustainable forestry and
biodiversity with additional international funding (notably by MARD with the UNDP, FAO and
UNEP under the UN-REDD programme; also Worldbank).
The opportunities for various win-win situations on GHG mitigation with additional socialeconomic benefits need to be mapped, and developed. It is important for Viet Nam that the
demands for up front investments from public funding remain limited, and that trade offs with
investments in poverty reduction are avoided. However, ODA and also national funding in
R&D may be needed to develop low-carbon development opportunities, and later prime
market changes, invest and maximise the mitigation effects.
Analytical Frameworks and Research Methodologies
The research should build on ‘secondary data’ and also constitute some additional data
collection efforts, especially data from local surveys and consultations. It will employ cutting
edge analytical frameworks for vulnerability assessment and formulation of adaptation
proposals, and for assessing low-carbon development opportunities.
Various research methodologies and types of data should be combined, including
qualitative, participatory research; statistically representative quantitative social-economic
research; administrative data; and hydro-meteorological and other environmental data.
Some data exist and need to be reinterpreted, and additional data are needed. These data
should be used in various combinations, in order to assess climate change effects over
decades, prioritise adaptation measures, highlight ‘low carbon’ development opportunities,
and make investment decisions.
Suggestions for Collaborative Research
The following suggestions for collaborative research should make CC-policy relevant
recommendations and generate materials for popular awareness raising.
1.
A study on CC and rice in Viet Nam. Viet Nam is a major rice exporter whilst long term
price trends appear to be upwards and consumers at home and abroad face food insecurity. Rice is a GHG emitter (methane) but there are ways to reduce emissions with
additional positive effects such as reduced water consumption. Rice production is an
important livelihood for farmers, workers, processors and traders in the areas most
affected by sea level rise, saline water intrusion, and river floods (especially the Mekong
Delta), and typhoons/ storms. Rice production has benefited from development of
various techniques for ‘sustainable agriculture’, including integrated pest management
and development of high yielding and pest resistant varieties, but it is increasingly ‘high
external input farming’ and a major source of pollution, whilst organic rice farming has
not yet taken off. Rice farming has already ‘feminised’ in some respects, with increased
burden and without significantly improved status of women.
Discussion DRAFT for UN organisations in Viet Nam --- 22 Jan 2009
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Collaborators: UNDP with hired experts, MARD/IPSARD, FAO, Worldbank, Oxfam,
UNIFEM, UNICEF, MARD/OCC, MOIT, MOLISA, AU, CTU, NU HCMC, AGU, ACIAR
A study on CC, migration and resettlement. Resettlement and guided migration has to
be considered in order for people and businesses to be safe from extreme impacts of
climate change (floods, storms, sea level rise) and yet maintain and enhance livelihood
strategies and access to basic services in both rural and urban areas. Examples in Viet
Nam are the residential clusters in the Mekong Delta and (earlier) the migration of
lowlanders to New Economic Zones in the uplands, as well as resettlement because of
large scale dam construction – all of those offer important lessons for climate change
adaptation. Seasonal and (semi-)permanent migration are livelihood strategies that tend
to exploit and develop rural-urban links in many ways. Migration has potential benefits
for natural resource based livelihoods from remittances, and rural towns can stimulate
economic development, but can also lead to additional pressures on depleting natural
resources and create health threats.
Collaborators: UNDP with hired experts, IOM, WHO, Care, UNICEF, MARD/OCC,
MOC, MOLISA, CTU, AGU
A study on CC & gender equality. Gender relations are affected by natural disasters
and by the gradual effects of CC, as well as the introduction and development of low
carbon economic development opportunities. This study should build on a ‘phase 1’
desk study on this topic and add some targeted primary data and (participatory)
analysis; be nation wide; strengthen the analytical base on gender studies in Viet Nam;
and make recommendations that are specific for women in different social groups,
localities and livelihoods in Viet Nam. It is expected to provide substantive arguments
and case evidence for public awareness raising.
Collaborators: UNDP with hired experts, UNIFEM, VASS, MONRE, MARD/OCC,
Oxfam, UNICEF, WHO, UNEP, MOLISA
Case studies on CC adaptation in rural and urban areas. This should include
a) Three rural livelihood zones along the Mekong river: (i) the coastal zone (affected
by typhoons and storm surges; partially protected by mangroves; with fisheries,
aquaculture and agriculture based livelihoods, affected by saline water intrusion); (ii)
the inland delta (affected by river floods and sometimes drought), where many
households have been relocated to ‘residential clusters’ in the past years; (iii) the
uplands (in Viet Nam) where medium sized hydroelectric dams are being built, with
potentially negative effects downstream (on fisheries and agriculture), reduction of
forest and agricultural land, and local displacement of poor ethnic minority people.
Especially the latter links to sustainable forestry and ‘REDD-readiness’ that is
expected from the UN-REDD programme.
b) Drought prone livelihood zones, in the South Central Coast region and the Central
Highlands region. In these areas live some of poorest Vietnamese, including ethnic
minority groups who are dependent on forest resources (some of these are at high
risk of forest fires) and hill slopes for dry land farming, and they may be dependent
on livestock keeping on dry land pastures. This links to REDD-readiness efforts.
c) Case studies in coastal zones with natural resource based livelihood ‘mixtures’
of fisheries, aquaculture and agriculture. In much of this zone mangrove plays an
important part in protecting dykes, communities and livelihoods from typhoons and
storm surges, and providing inputs into livelihoods; but it is under pressure from
shrimp farming. Saline water intrusion may be a major problem for agriculture and
drinking water supply. Agriculture in the longer term future is expected to be larger
scale, and near shore fisheries may disappear; but currently these are critical for
many of the poorest people. This also links to REDD-readiness efforts.
d) Case studies in coastal towns and cities. Livelihoods and sector vulnerabilities in
urban areas and improving urban resilience for CC effects will require priority actions
that are different from rural areas. Important for both rural and urban areas are
Discussion DRAFT for UN organisations in Viet Nam --- 22 Jan 2009
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dynamic links with livelihood opportunities as well as protection through dynamic
links between these ‘sides’. In towns and cities the most important challenges
include water supply and sewerage systems in poor neighbourhoods, flood
protection and drainage. There will be areas that should be earmarked as flood
plains, and areas from where residents and industries should be relocated.
Collaborators: UNDP projects in MONRE, MARD, MPI (local A21 provinces);
MARD/IPSARD, Oxfam, Care, Worldbank (several sectors in the 2009 adaptation
study), FAO, WHO, UNESCO, UNICEF, UNEP (as part of the UN-REDD initiative), HU,
CTU, NU HCMC, HN AU; (re urban resilience:) UN-Habitat, Rockefeller Foundation,
ICET and Challenge to Change
A study on CC & health needs in Viet Nam, now and into the medium to long term
future. Viet Nam is strongly affected by the effects of climate change, including
intensified natural disasters with major public health demands; enhanced vectors for
malaria and dengue fever; and parts of the country are expected to suffer heat waves
that affect the elderly in particular. The WHO has globally addressed climate change
and health as an emerging priority in its report for World Health Day 2008, arguing that
‘protection from climate change is part of a basic, preventive approach to public health,
not a separate or competing demand’. UNICEF has significant experience in Viet Nam
in strengthening water supply and environmental sanitation in disaster prone areas and
elsewhere, whilst climate change is potentially affecting both water supply and
sanitation in different parts of Viet Nam. In 2009 the health sector is expected to be
included in a Worldbank country study on adaptation costs.
Collaborators: WHO projects in MOH and contracted consultants, UNICEF projects in
MARD on water supply and environmental sanitation and contracted consultants,
Worldbank, UNDP, MARD/OCC, MONRE
A study on CC and insurance systems to reduce vulnerabilities for floods, also for
droughts and typhoon impacts, and for improved resilience of natural resources based
livelihoods. UNDP with MARD and MOF commissioned a study in 2004-5, which gives
ideas about a possible link between insurance and micro-finance as well as local capital
investments. There are (failed) attempts with crop insurance in Viet Nam of national and
international companies (this would include re-insurance in international markets). The
Worldbank has advanced the development of index based crop insurance in several
countries including Viet Nam.
Collaborators: UNDP projects in MONRE, MARD, MPI, Worldbank, MOF, MARD,
MOLISA, UNIDO, Bao Viet Insurance, Swiss Re or Munich Re
A study on CC & generation of investment capital, especially for large scale
infrastructure investments for adaptation, and possibly combined with taxes and fees
that provide market signals to limit energy consumption and help develop low-carbon
technologies. The international community has support public expenditure reviews, but
those were not concerned with climate change financing. The Government is
strengthening the capital of and investment from the Viet Nam Environmental Protection
Fund, which is already looking into stimulating energy efficiency in certain industries.
The Danish Government has commissioned a fiduciary review of the NTP, which has
generated understanding about funding responses to climate change.
Collaborators: UNDP projects in MONRE, MOF and MPI, Worldbank, Danida, UNIDO
A study on mainstreaming CC adaptation in large scale investments to reduce
vulnerabilities to the long term effects of climate change in major industrial complexes
and infrastructure. There is a range of regional, spatial planning tools that have been
applied in Viet Nam. Some of those are already defined in national legislation, such as
river basin management, integrated coastal zone management and strategic
environmental assessment. These tools need to ‘absorb’ and support the
mainstreaming of CC adaptation in local, regional planning and in formulation of specific
investment decisions. The UNDP and ADB with MARD and also MOC are developing a
Discussion DRAFT for UN organisations in Viet Nam --- 22 Jan 2009
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9.
GEF project on climate proofing of small and medium sized coastal, rural infrastructure.
The Worldbank and ADB are looking into large-scale financing packages in light of
climate change threats and adaptation needs in Viet Nam. However, mainstreaming of
climate change effects in the design of infrastructure has not yet been regulated and
only practiced on an ad hoc basis. Furthermore, over the coming decades Viet Nam will
depend mostly on national financing of climate change adaptation infrastructure, and
ensure that national regulatory requirements are appropriate to capacities.
Collaborators: UNDP project in MPI; ADB, Worldbank, JICA, MOC, MOF, UN-Habitat,
UNEP
A study on opportunities for GHG mitigation in national industries, the building
sector, and energy generation. NAMAs are being developed in Viet Nam but not in a
systematic way, and only to a limited extent under the NTP on CC; however, Viet Nam
has a NTP on Energy Efficiency and a draft law on the same. International projects help
improve energy efficiency, including GEF funded projects on energy efficiency of SMEs,
public lighting and buildings, and energy generation projects are funded by the
Worldbank, ADB and SIDA. Some CDM projects were initiated (Japanese support) and
several are in the pipeline, and UNDP may step in the Vietnamese CDM market with the
‘MDG-Carbon’ programme. SNV and national NGOs have large biogas programmes
across Viet Nam. The Viet Nam Environmental Protection Fund has started to fund
energy efficiency projects in industry. However, energy efficiency in industry, the public
sector and households remains low, and several barriers remain for international
investment in ‘green’ projects. A strategic analysis is needed of opportunities for Viet
Nam to pursue a ‘low carbon’ development path that avoids trade offs with public
expenditure and poverty reduction, i.e. that shows win-win opportunities.
Collaborators: UNDP projects in MPI, MOST, VAST and MOIT; UNIDO, UNESCO,
Worldbank, JICA, ADB, SNV, Danida, UNEP, MOF
Human Resources and Financing of the Research
The above research will be financed from different sources and executed by different
national and international agencies, but always with close operational and substantive links
to one or more UN organizations. In several cases it is expected that different organizations
make ‘in kind’ contributions and supply experts funded from their own resources.
UNDP projects in MONRE, MARD, MPI and other ministries are implemented following the
‘National Execution’ modality, National Project Directors from the ministries are the main
responsible persons. Research under these projects will be agreed with UNDP (Sustainable
Development Cluster and CC Policy Advisor), who will take a substantive interest at different
stages of the research and will actively support coordination with other UN and international
organizations. Where in the above it says ‘UNDP with hired experts’ the research is
expected to be led by a national and an international researcher, and possibly additional
national researchers. The funding for this will be drawn from UNDP, i.e. not from projects.
In several cases close collaboration with several Vietnamese universities is indicated, from
Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hue, Can Tho and other places. Several of the national
researchers, university teachers as well as key officials and project staff who take part in
some of the research will be engaged in research design and especially formulation of
research methodologies, and some will be trained in methodologies. There is thus an
expectation to strengthen capacities and networks of researchers on climate change policy
relevant matters.
Discussion DRAFT for UN organisations in Viet Nam --- 22 Jan 2009
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