HÀ NỘI – Increasing forest cover to 45 per cent of national territory and contributing to an eight per cent reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 are among the targets of a national environmental action plan introduced yesterday in Hà Nội.

The National Action Programme aimed to trim greenhouse gas emissions by stemmig deforestation and forest degradation, sustainable management of forest resources, conservation and enhancement of forest carbon stocks by 2030.

The REDD+ Programme, as it is known, also targets improved quality of natural and planted forests to increase carbon stock. One other target is job creation to improve living conditions and ensure security and national defense.

Võ Đình Tuyên, deputy director of the Department of Sectorial Economy under the Government Office, said the programme would be implemented across the country, with priority given to hot spots of deforestation and forest degradation, and regions affected by climate change, as well as areas having the greatest potential for forest carbon stock enhancement.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Justice and provinces and cities people’s committees will all join the programme.

To reach the targets, Tuyên said, the land use master plan and land use plans wil be continuously reveiwed and updated to ensure the target of 16.24 million hectares of forest land is achieved by 2020.

Participants will also promote sustainable and deforestation-free agriculture and aquaculture, as well as improve forest governance and livelihoods for people living near and in forests.

Enhanced forest production and long-term rotation timber plantation business models will be evaluated and replicated.

At the conference unveiling the plan, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development also announced Directive No 13 of the Central Party Secretariat on strengthening the Party’s leadership in forest management, protection and development.

Nguyễn Quốc Trị, deputy director of the Việt Nam Administration of Forestry, said that in the context of global climate change, Việt Nam is expected to be one of the five countries hardest hit by climate change.

In recent years, increasing demand for timber and forest products was a driver of illegal logging and illegal timber trade, and a major threat to the country’s natural forests. Demand also grew for conversion of forests and forest land to other uses, he said.

“Directive No 13 aims to mobilize a strong engagement by the whole political system, empowering and demonstrating the determination of the whole society to overcome the above-mentioned shortcomings, to meet the requirements of country development and timely response to climate change,” said Trị.

Under the directive, concerned organisations and ministries will strengthen communication to encourage considerable changes in awareness and sense of responsibility of Government officials and Party members, businesses, communities, households and individuals in forest protection and development.

Actions will be taken to suspend and reclaim land in projects involving forest land conversion in violation of the ecological system, seriously affecting production and the lives of people in the project area. – VNS