HÀ NỘI — As the effects of climate change are apparent throughout the world, nations are undertaking actions to combat it, and Việt Nam is no exception.

The competition "The Search for Innovative Models to Combat Climate Change and Reduce Damages from Natural Disasters" was announced on Thursday by the Directorate for Climate Change of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.

The competition aims to find notable innovations and business models from all over Việt Nam, and to amplify the need and public awareness of climate change in the country.

“Việt Nam is one of the countries predicted to be impacted badly by climate change. The effects of climate change will affect multiple aspects and hinder socio-economic development of the country,” said Director of the Directorate for Climate Change Tăng Thế Cường at the press conference.

“In recent years, radical natural disasters have been appearing more frequently, and caused bigger damage,” he said.

There are many success stories involving new business models and climate change innovations. For example, after the implementation of Resolution 120 on Sustainable Development of the Mekong Delta, the impact of the 2015-2016 salinity drought was reduced by ten times.

A renowned expert on climate change, Professor Trương Quang Học commented that the competition came at the right time for Việt Nam, but added that “the definition for ‘models’ must be properly defined, to differentiate long-term sustainable projects from one-time good examples and practices.”

He also hoped that after events such as Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính’s pledge at the COP26 and the announcement of the competition, the public would be more aware of the current climate situation.

Director Cường expressed hope that the competition would bring about the connection between Government agencies and the society in uniting and combat against the same goal. Excellent innovations and ideas will be promoted widely to better the capabilities of dealing with climate change and natural disasters.

The competition looks toward finding new ideas, suggestions, and models that are practical or have the potential to help combat climate change. These ideas can come from various aspects such as business, education, and technology.

The competition entries should be deployed in life and society, and reflect the unity of the public in combating climate change in Việt Nam, being applied currently or having potential in the future.

Organisations and individuals living in Việt Nam, Vietnamese citizens living abroad or foreign individuals residing in Việt Nam are eligible for entry.

The entries should be submitted in either three formats: a written dissertation, an illustration (either by hand on paper, or digitally), or a model that explains how the idea/suggestion will benefit in combating climate change, reducing greenhouse gases and natural disasters’ effects.

Competitors should send their original copies, files and models relating to: The Directorate for Climate Change, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, No. 10 Tôn Thất Thuyết Street, Nam Từ Liêm District, Hà Nội.

The deadline for submission is June 30, 2022.

There are 31 individual prizes and 13 prizes for collectives to be awarded by the Organising Committee for the best ideas selected by the judges. — VNS