Report on Climate Change Risks Released

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment in collaboration with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) organised an international conference themed “Climate change and climatic extremes in Vietnam” in Hanoi.

 

Dr Rajendra K Pachauri, the Chairman of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), announced the Special Report on Managing Risks of Extreme Events and Disasters to Advance Climate Change Adaptation. According to this report, changing climate leads to changes in extreme weather and climate events in Asia in particular and in the world as whole. Tendencies the report mentions relatively match studies by Vietnamese scientists. The IPCC report also provides a response model, which is the integration of disaster risk management, climate change adaptation and sustainable development.

 

Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Nguyen Minh Quang stressed: Vietnam is highly exposed to extreme climatic events and disasters. According to updated details on climate change, extreme weather and rising sea level scenarios for Vietnam, by the end of the 21 century, the sea level may rise another one metre which will submerge some 40 percent of area of the Mekong Delta, 11 percent of Red River Delta, and 3 percent of other localities. Ho Chi Minh City may see 20 percent of the current area underneath the water surface. Approximately 10 - 12 percent of population will be directly affected and damage is estimated to cost 10 percent of GDP. Based on the report findings by IPCC, Minister Quang said Vietnamese scientists will coordinate with their international colleagues to collate reports on climate extremes and disasters to serve policy making and to build and implement national and local development plans and strategies at national and local levels, thus contributing to the country’s sustainable development.