Marybeth Collins
On July 8, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha signed a decision approving Vietnam’s national environmental protection planning project for 2021–2030, with a vision extending to 2050. This strategic initiative aims to proactively prevent and control environmental pollution and degradation, restore and improve environmental quality, and enhance biodiversity, ensuring the people’s right to live in a healthy environment through rational spatial arrangement and management zoning of environmental quality.
Vietnam faces significant economic and social risks from climate change, with potential costs estimated to reach 12% to 14.5% of GDP annually by 2050 and the risk of one million people falling into extreme poverty by 2030.
Objectives of the Planning Project
- Prevent and Control Environmental Pollution and Degradation: This objective focuses on implementing proactive measures to curb environmental pollution and degradation before they reach critical levels, mitigating adverse effects on ecosystems and human health.
- Restore and Improve Environmental Quality: Restoration initiatives aim to reverse the damage caused by industrialization and urbanization, enhancing overall environmental health by rehabilitating degraded lands, waterways, and air quality.
- Enhance Biodiversity: Fostering biodiversity is crucial for maintaining ecological balance and ensuring the survival of various species. This objective aims to prevent biodiversity decline and promote biodiversity enhancement.
Key Strategies and Directions
- Nature Reserves and Biodiversity Conservation Areas: Establishing and effectively managing nature reserves and biodiversity conservation areas are critical. These areas will serve as sanctuaries for endemic, endangered, and rare species, facilitating the preservation of natural values and heritage. By 2030, the total protected nature reserve area will reach approximately 16.57 million acres.
- Centralized Waste Treatment Zones: It is imperative to develop centralized waste treatment zones at national, regional, and provincial levels. These zones will have advanced treatment technologies to handle domestic, industrial, and hazardous waste efficiently. By 2030, at least two national-level and seven regional-level centralized waste treatment zones will be operational, with each province having its provincial-level facility.
- Environmental Monitoring and Warning Networks: A robust environmental monitoring and warning network is essential for early detection and response to environmental issues. Stations will be strategically located in inter-regional, inter-provincial, and cross-border areas to ensure comprehensive coverage and effective monitoring.
- Sustainable Socio-Economic Development: Promoting sustainable development through green, circular, and low-carbon economies is a cornerstone of this project. This approach harmonizes economic growth with environmental stewardship, ensuring that development is both inclusive and sustainable.
Future Goals: 2050 Vision
By 2050, the planning project aims to achieve exemplary environmental quality and ensure a healthy living environment. Key goals include:
- Effective biodiversity conservation and ecological balance maintenance.
- Active climate change mitigation and adaptation.
- Advancement towards sustainable development through green, circular, and low-carbon economies.
- Achievement of net-zero emissions by 2050.
- Ensuring environmental security alongside rapid and sustainable socio-economic development.
To realize these ambitious objectives, concerted efforts will be made to improve public awareness, enhance legal and policy frameworks, streamline administrative processes, and leverage scientific and technological advancements. Additionally, international cooperation will be strengthened to address global environmental challenges.
