A workshop was held in Hanoi on April 21 to seek sustainable measures to cope with environmental changes in line with Vietnam’s conditions.

Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Nguyen Linh Ngoc said Vietnam is pioneering the fight by implementing scores of initiatives, policies and practical activities with the support and cooperation of many other countries.

From now to 2020, Vietnam will actively carry out national strategies, programmes and action plans on climate change adaptation in various fields while strictly observing obligations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, he added.

Vietnam is still committed to reducing 8% of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, and up to 25% if the country receives effective assistance from the international community, he said, adding that Vietnam will periodically review and adjust the targets properly, based on conditions.

Rector of the University of Science under the Hanoi-based Vietnam National University Nguyen Van Noi said climate change will pose serious problems for locals and vulnerable sectors in the near future.

Changes in temperature and rainfall, along with storm intensity and frequency and rising sea levels will significantly affect the economy, society and the environment, he noted.

As such, the evaluation of climate change impacts on human and ecological systems is necessary.

Phillip Kalantzis Cope from the University of Illinois in the US suggested Vietnam clearly define opportunities and challenges posed by climate change when realising the Paris Agreement – a global agreement on mitigating climate change.

He also stressed the need to change social behaviour and lifestyles to build sustainable consumption and production models, promote economical and effective use of natural resources, and increase public awareness of proactively preventing natural disasters and adapting to climate change to reduce human and property losses.

The role of the Government and local authorities in this is significant, he added.

The European Union (EU) will support Vietnam to mitigate the impacts of greenhouse gas effects and climate change, Head of the EU Delegation to Vietnam Bruno Angelet confirmed.

The forum was jointly held by the University of Science, the Vietnam-Japan University, the University of Illinois, and the International Institute for the Inclusive Museum.

Source: Nhan dan