Vietnam has been proactive in advancing its national climate change policy over the last 5 years and has outlined its low emission growth goals in both the 2012 Vietnam Green Growth Strategy (VGGS) and the 2011 National Climate Change Strategy. The VGGS highlights a multi-sector approach to low emission economic growth, and the National Climate Change Strategy includes a low emission economy and green growth as principles in achieving sustainable development.
Through the EC-LEDS program, Vietnam and the United States are partnering to utilize models and tools for monitoring and evaluating greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions in the energy, agriculture, and forestry sectors that also support development goals at the local and national level.
Environmental/Economic Data
Top Three GHG Emitting Sectors (2012)
- Energy
- Agriculture
- Industry
Source: World Resources Institute
GDP Average Annual Growth Rate (%)
- 10-year (2006-2015): 6.1% per year
- 5-year (2011-2015): 5.9% per year
Source: World Bank
GHG Emission Growth (%)
- 20-year (1993-2012): 219.7%
- 5-year (2008-2012): 24.2%
Source: World Resources Institute
Forested Area (% of total land area)
- 2015: 47.6%
Source: World Bank
Renewable Energy Contribution to Electricity Generation (%)
- 2014: 42.9%
EC-LEDS Activities
Accomplishments and Progress
Advancing Subnational and Sectoral Green Growth. Vietnam approved Green Growth Action Plans for Quang Ninh and Thanh Hoa provinces as well as a national-level plan for the Ministry of Transport. The Green Growth Action Plan, developed with U.S. technical assistance, outline strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, cleaner production, and greener lifestyles – all while supporting continued economic growth. - 2016
Enabling Provincial-Level Forest Management. With U.S. support, Thanh Hoa and Aghe An became the first provinces in Vietnam to approve Provincial REDD+ Action Plans. The new plans serve as models for how provinces can manage their forests to improve the quality of people’s lives, address the challenges of climate change, and take advantage of new international financing opportunities for climate change activities. Improving land management helps reduce poverty in local communities, protects valuable natural resources, promotes clean air and water, and can improve production of important global commodities. -2016
Improving Energy Efficiency in Buildings. With technical assistance from EC-LEDS program energy experts, the Ministry of Construction strengthened Vietnam’s national code for energy efficiency in civil buildings such as hotels, hospitals, schools, and homes. To ensure that code changes are implemented properly, experts trained responsible staff to monitor compliance with the new building code at the local level. Implementation of the improved code will help accelerate cost savings and emission reductions through reduced energy use. – 2014
Forest Sector Inventory Management Strengthened. EC-LEDS program forestry experts supported training and technical exchanges to build capacity in a national forest inventory, remote sensing, forest carbon monitoring, and a GHG inventory for Vietnam’s forestry sector. Robust national forest inventory design and management helped to document GHG emission reductions from the forestry sector and support Vietnam’s REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) strategy. - 2014
Sustainable Agricultural Practices Demonstrated. The EC-LEDS program and Vietnamese agricultural experts trained government agricultural extension workers in sustainable management practices in the rice and livestock sectors. Improved water, fertilizer, and waste management will help to mitigate GHGs (supporting Vietnam’s goal of 20% GHG emission reductions from the agriculture sector by 2020) and increase profitability in the livestock and rice sectors. - 2014
Reducing Forest Sector Emissions: U.S. and Vietnam forestry experts are building Vietnam’s capacity in forest inventory and monitoring, remote sensing, forest carbon monitoring, and GHG inventory through training and technical exchanges. Robust national forest inventory design and management help to document reduced GHG emissions from the forest sector and support Vietnam’s REDD+ strategy. - 2013
Demonstrating Sustainable Agricultural Practices: U.S. and Vietnam agriculture experts are training government extension leaders in sustainable management practices in the rice and livestock sectors. Improved water, fertilizer, and waste management will help to mitigate GHGs (supporting Vietnam’s 20% GHG emission reductions from the agriculture sector by 2020) and increase profitability in the livestock and rice sectors. - 2013
Renewable Energy Assessment Tools Implemented. Provincial energy planners were trained on solar, wind, and biomass resource assessments and in the use of the Geospatial Toolkit, a map-based software tool designed for analyzing resource data. Resource assessments are the first step in identifying the best locations for deploying renewable energy projects. – 2013
Milestones
Additional Resources
News
Publications
- Advancing Data-Driven Clean Energy and Green Growth in Vietnam
- Advancing Development and Greenhouse Gas Reductions in Vietnam's Wind Sector
- Vietnam: Preserving Forests, Engaging Communities
- Green Buildings Mean High Performance, Low Emissions in Vietnam
- Public-Private Partnership Paves the Way for Thanh Hoa's Bamboo Market
Organizations and Programs
Contacts
If you have any questions about Vietnam’s activities through the EC-LEDS program, please contact us.