Denmark backs Vietnam's efforts to protect environment

Hanoi (VNA) - Denmark is considering giving financial support to projects making
use of the clean development mechanism (CDM) in Vietnam to work towards a
sustainable environmental protection programme, according to Danish Ambassador Peter
Lysholt Hansen.

Between 2007-2009, the Danish government provided funding of 380,000 USD to a CDM
promotion project in Vietnam .

The project aims to improve the capacity and raise awareness of CDM, as well as
helping Vietnam meet its national targets on environmental protection and climate
change response, the Danish ambassador said during a conference in Hanoi on
Feb. 19.

According to the Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Nguyen Manh
Hien, Vietnam 's current priorities are to carry out projects that help the
country adapt to climate change and reduce the amount of greenhouse gases that are
emitted into the atmosphere.

Although CDM is a relatively new concept in Vietnam , the number of projects
utilizing this is on the rise. As of Feb. 2009, two Vietnamese projects, Rang Dong
Oil Field Associated Gas Recovery and Utilisation in southern Ba Ria-Vung Tau
province and Song Muc Hydropower Regeneration in northern Thanh Hoa province,
complied fully with the CDM process.

Vietnam 's authorised agencies have approved 78 CDM projects, focusing
predominantly on renewable energy sources.

According to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, renewable energy,
including hydro power and wind turbine power, possesses massive potential for the
deployment of CDM projects in Vietnam.-Enditem