HÀ NỘI — Civil society organisations (CSOs) recommended climate vulnerability assessments in order to help the Government implement a national adaptation plan to mitigate the impacts of and respond to climate change.

The recommendation was made by the Việt Nam Non-Governmental Organisation's Climate Change Working Group (CCWG) at a workshop in Hà Nội on Tuesday.

Climate vulnerability assessments determine risks to people, areas and sectors that are vulnerable to climate change and seek responsive strategies. Groups of people vulnerable to climate change include poor people and the disabled.

CCWG chairman Hoàng Việt recommended a community-based approach in assessing climate vulnerability.

A woman waters peanut plants in drought-hit Ninh Thuận Province. Women are among groups most vulnerable to climate change.  — VNA/VNS Photo Nguyễn Thành

Many CSOs in Việt Nam have implemented climate change adaptation models using climate vulnerability assessments, for example, zero waste agricultural production in Phú Thọ Province implemented by the Centre for Sustainable Rural Development, and building small weather stations operated by farmers in Hà Tĩnh Province implemented by CARE International.

CCWG chairman Hoàng Việt said climate vulnerability assessments should be considered as a necessary requirement for projects, planning and development plans to ensure a timely review of current and potential climate risks.

The Vietnamese Government is looking to implement a national adaptation plan for 2021-30 as part of efforts to respond to climate change.

The plan focuses on solutions to reduce the negative impacts of climate change and the risks it poses to biodiversity, humans, the socio-economy and the environment.

The prioritised areas focus on agriculture, water, land, biodiversity, transport, poverty reduction and gender equality, health and education.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has been assigned to take the leading role in compiling the plan with the support of other government agencies and CSOs.

According to the Department of Climate Change under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the ministry was drafting the plan and would submit it to the Prime Minister for approval by the end of the third or start of the fourth quarter this year.

The Vietnamese Government agrees that climate change adaptation must be implemented in prioritised areas, while responding to current impacts and reaching long-term targets, said Nguyễn Tuấn Quang, deputy director of the Department of Climate Change. — VNS