110 climate adaptation tasks in agriculture and environment

Under Decision No. 1422/QD-TTg, the Prime Minister approved the updated National Climate Change Adaptation Plan for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision to 2050. Based on the assigned tasks, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment has issued its Implementation Plan, comprising a total of 170 tasks assigned to subordinate units under the Ministry, aimed at achieving three key objectives.

Specifically, the first objective is to enhance the resilience and adaptive capacity of natural, economic, and social systems to ensure sustainable livelihoods. The second objective focuses on reducing disaster risks and minimizing losses caused by increasingly frequent and severe natural disasters and extreme weather events, thereby mitigating climate-related damage. The third objective seeks to improve institutional frameworks, mobilize potential and resources, and promote effective adaptation to climate change.

To achieve the first objective, the Plan outlines 50 specific tasks and assigns lead responsibilities to the following agencies: the Department of Water Resources Management; the National Center for Water Resources Planning and Investigation; the Department of Water Works Management and Construction; the National Center for Water Resources Planning and Investigation; the Department of Land Management; the Vietnam Academy of Agricultural Sciences; the Institute of Strategy and Policy on Agriculture and Environment; the National Institute of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine; the Plant Production and Protection Department; the Department of Forestry and Forest Protection; the National Agricultural Extension Center; the Viet Nam Disaster and Dyke Management Authority; the Department of Fisheries and Surveillance; and the Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Agency.

The tasks under this objective focus on enhancing the resilience and adaptive capacity of natural, economic, and social systems to ensure sustainable livelihoods. This will be achieved through investments in climate change adaptation activities aimed at the efficient use and protection of natural resources, preventing their depletion and degradation; promoting climate-smart agriculture; and conserving as well as developing forests and ecosystems.

For the second objective, the Plan includes 29 tasks, with lead responsibilities assigned to the following agencies: the Viet Nam Meteorological and Hydrological Administration; the Viet Nam Disaster and Dyke Management Authority; the Department of Water Works Management and Construction; the Department of Climate Change; the Department of Fisheries and Surveillance; the Department of Cooperative and Rural Development; and the Vietnam Institute of Meteorology, Hydrology and Climate Change.

These tasks focus on implementing measures to strengthen forecasting and early warning systems for natural disasters and extreme weather and climate events; improving climate risk assessment and management; and adopting strategies to reduce disaster risks, minimize losses and damages from both short-term and long-term climate impacts, and enhance preparedness and response capacity to cope with increasingly severe natural disasters and extreme climate conditions.

For the third objective, the Plan outlines 31 tasks and assigns lead responsibilities to the following agencies: the Department of Climate Change; the Legal Department; the Institute of Strategy and Policy on Agriculture and Environment; the Department of Water Works Management and Construction; the Vietnam Institute of Meteorology, Hydrology and Climate Change; the Department of Forestry and Forest Protection; the Department of Land Management; the Ministry Office; the Vietnam Agriculture and Nature Newspaper; Hanoi University of Natural Resources and Environment; Ho Chi Minh City University of Natural Resources and Environment; the Department of Science and Technology; the Viet Nam Disaster and Dyke Management Authority; the Department of Planning and Finance; and the International Cooperation Department.

The tasks under this objective focus on strengthening state management on climate change; improving institutional and policy frameworks; and promoting the integration of climate change adaptation into national strategies and planning processes. They also aim to advance co-benefit adaptation activities, enhance community awareness and participation in climate adaptation through communication, education, and training; and foster scientific research and technological innovation. In addition, the Plan seeks to mobilize financial resources and promote investment and international cooperation activities to enhance national capacity in responding effectively to climate change.

The specific task of “developing technical standards and regulations for the agriculture and environment sectors to adapt to climate change” has been assigned to relevant departments under the Ministry. Meanwhile, the task of “enhancing the quality and capacity of teaching staff, and updating and integrating content on climate change response and disaster prevention into training programs” has been entrusted to universities under the Ministry.

According to the Decision, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment requires all lead agencies to proactively develop plans, propose specific tasks and mobilize necessary resources to ensure timely, high-quality, and effective implementation. These efforts must be consistent and aligned with relevant national programs and plans, and comply with existing legal regulations. The Ministry also emphasizes the importance of close and effective coordination among its subordinate units and with cooperating agencies throughout the implementation process.

The Department of Climate Change is responsible for monitoring and urging the Ministry’s subordinate units to carry out their assigned tasks, as well as organizing supervision and evaluation in accordance with current regulations. All units under the Ministry are required to conduct annual reviews and submit progress reports to the Ministry by December 25 each year.