Vietnam most vulnerable to climate change

Hanoi (VNA)- Research carried out by Oxfam has revealed that Vietnam
is among the world's most vulnerable countries to the effects of climate
change despite being one of the nations least responsible for greenhouse gas
emissions.

This has raised worries over the possible impact of climate change upon
the country's impressive socio-economic development.

"The Government's impressive achievements in pulling millions of people
out of poverty are being seriously jeopardised by the likely increases in
extreme rainfall and drought, and by slow changes like a rise in sea levels
and an warming temperature."

The study made it clear that, as of 2000, the Southeast Asian nation was
responsible for 0.35 percent of greenhouse gas emissions, one of the lowest
rates in the world, however, the country experienced an average temperature
rise of 0.1 degrees Celsius per decade between 1931 and 2000.

According to the report, "The sea level has risen between 2.5 and 3.0 cm
per decade during the last 50 years and this study suggests that Vietnam
will be the country most affected by a rise in sea-levels."

It added "Also, and ironically in the light of rising average
temperatures, people in the central and northern regions have reported
spells of extraordinarily cold weather."

The Oxfam study also demonstrates how increased public involvement in
local natural disaster control programmes can help mitigate their
vulnerability to flooding. Programmes governing building on higher ground,
the refining and updating of the early warning system and adapting
agricultural cycles to changes in climate changes have proven to be
effective.

The Oxfam report also examined Government plans regarding adaptation to
climate change. It said " Vietnam is able to build on a long history of
strong institutional responses to natural disasters like floods and storms.
However, these strategies focus on emergency responses to short-term climate
extremes and reconstruction following them, rather than long-term adaption
to future climate change. These are also not integrated into broader
policies for sustainable rural development and poverty reduction."

The organisation called for international assistance to help the
developing country deal with these issues.

"The international community will have to play a major role in supporting
the Government of Vietnam's efforts to adapt to climate change, as the
amount of investment needed is beyond its budgetary capacity," said the UK
non-government organisation.

According to the report, the total national budget required for disaster
management and dyke construction during 2010-2020 is 1.2 trillion VND
(roughly 750 million USD), even before the costs of climate change plans are
factored in.

It cited a leading Vietnamese water resources expert as saying that the
Government would have to provide funding of about 600 million USD by 2020 to
reinforce and raise existing sea dykes along the length of the coastline
from central Vietnam to the south-western provinces.--Enditem