ERPA nurtures hope for the Western region of Nghe An

In the context of limited state budget funding for forest management, protection, and development, the revenue from forest environmental services (FES) and afforestation have helped reduce the immense pressure on the shoulders of the authorities, local governments, and the majority of people in the highland regions.

Changes have occurred, but they still cannot completely alleviate the daily struggles of those entrusted with forest protection contracts. From this reality, Nghe An places high hopes on the Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Program in the North Central region (ERPA) to stabilize forest resources and reduce pressure on the state budget for forest management and protection.

At the same time, it creates numerous jobs, improves livelihoods, increases income, and enhances the lives of forestry workers and forest protectors. This, in turn, contributes to ensuring national defense security, public order, and safety, as well as maintaining forest cover in the area.

Nghe An province, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Forest Protection and Development Fund, and relevant parties recognize ERPA as a major policy and key focus of the forestry sector. When integrated into the broader framework, it will bring about positive and comprehensive effects.

According to Vietnam Agriculture Newspaper's report, the total ERPA fund for Nghe An, coordinated by the Central Fund for the 2023-2025 period, amounts to over VND 352 billion (Decision 3326/QĐ-BNN-TC dated October 2, 2024).

ERPA is a new and unprecedented policy, so to effectively implement the greenhouse gas emission reduction payment agreement in the North Central region of Nghe An, the Forest Protection and Development Fund of Nghệ An has excelled in advising and ensuring the timely completion of tasks as per the assigned plan. Notable actions include: advising on the implementation of Government Decree No. 107/2022/NĐ-CP on the pilot transfer of emission reduction results and managing the greenhouse gas emission reduction payment agreement in the North Central region; advising on the ERPA implementation plan for Nghe An, which was issued by the provincial People's Committee in Plan No. 124/KH-UBND on February 22, 2024;

Advising on the approval of the overall financial plan for the first phase of the ERPA revenue, approved by the provincial People's Committee in Decision No. 869/QĐ-UBND on April 9, 2024; advising on the approval of the list of ERPA beneficiaries, approved by the provincial People's Committee in Decision No. 1234/QĐ-UBND on May 20, 2024; advising on regulations for forest protection contracts; the number of payments and payment schedule for ERPA beneficiaries in Nghệ An, approved by the provincial People's Committee in Decision No. 32/2024/QĐ-UBND on September 24, 2024…

The number of ERPA payment recipients is large (38,141 households, individuals, and community members; 211 commune-level People's Committees responsible for forest management; 40 forest owners as organizations), spread across many districts, with a focus on remote areas, regions with difficult conditions, and underdeveloped infrastructure. This presents numerous challenges for the implementing agencies. However, with consistent effort and dedication, progress has been accelerated. As of December 17, 2024, the Forest Protection and Development Fund of Nghe An province has disbursed VND 131.151 billion.

ERPA is large in scale, comprehensive, and unprecedented, so it inevitably faces challenges. This requires perseverance and patience to resolve step by step, with each step taken cautiously and without rushing or being negligent.

The right policy has received strong consensus from the people of Nghe An in the mountainous, remote areas, contributing to the sustainable development of forestry and strengthening community solidarity.