The Paris Agreement and Viet Nam’s transition

Global efforts must cut 60% of greenhouse gas emissions

The Paris Agreement was adopted on 12 December 2015 during COP21. It is considered a historic milestone, as it marked the first time the world established a legally binding document on national responsibility for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The objective of these emission reductions is to keep the global average temperature rise by the end of the century below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, ideally limited to 1.5°C, and to achieve a balance between emissions and absorption of greenhouse gases (“net zero”) in the latter half of the century.

Parties to the Agreement submit their emission reduction pledges through Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), which are periodically updated to progressively raise their ambition and ensure that each NDC reflects the country’s highest possible effort.

The Agreement also underscores the need to strike a balance between mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to climate change, including building resilience to natural disasters and extreme weather. Therefore, NDCs are not merely “action plans” but also benchmarks reflecting each country’s level of commitment, capability, and contribution to global climate efforts.

Ahead of COP30 in 2025, marking a full decade since the Paris Agreement was adopted, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) warns that global emissions cuts remain far too low, despite sustained efforts over the past ten years to meet the Paris climate goals. To keep global temperature rise within 1.5°C, countries must reduce their emissions by 60% by 2035 compared to 2019 levels.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stresses that countries need to adopt far more ambitious targets in their third NDC updates (NDC 3.0) and accelerate decisive emission-reduction actions. Without this, climate change will worsen beyond repair as temperatures surpass critical thresholds.

Viet Nam seizes the opportunity for economic transition

Viet Nam was among the first countries to issue a Plan for the Implementation of the Paris Agreement on climate change, immediately after formally ratifying the Agreement. As one of the nation's most severely affected by climate change, Viet Nam views its NDC not only as an international obligation but also as an urgent requirement to protect livelihoods, natural resources, and the country’s sustainable development future.

From 2015 to 2020, Viet Nam’s institutional and policy foundations for greenhouse gas reduction and climate change adaptation gradually took shape. This created an enabling environment for mobilizing national efforts to address climate change, while attracting private-sector investment and international support. The government encouraged emission mitigation and set the direction for preparing human, technological, and financial resources to fulfill mitigation, adaptation, and other obligations under the Paris Agreement.

Since 2021, Viet Nam has entered the phase where it must fulfill its binding emission-reduction commitments under its NDC for the Paris Agreement. Over the past five years, the country has demonstrated remarkable efforts - strengthening climate governance, improving the policy framework, and mobilizing active participation from society and the business community.

The road ahead remains challenging, but the progress made so far shows that Viet Nam has built a strong foundation to transition toward a green and sustainable growth model, contributing more effectively to global climate response efforts.

Viet Nam developed and submitted its Intended NDC in 2015, and subsequently updated its NDCs in 2020 and 2022, demonstrating its highest level of effort in responding to climate change. Together with its commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, these updates reflect Vietnam’s strong determination to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance carbon sinks, and strengthen climate resilience.

As a Party to the Paris Agreement, Vietnam is currently finalizing the development of its NDC 3.0. According to Mr. Tang The Cuong, Director General of the Department of Climate Change, the drafting process for NDC 3.0 has been carried out in accordance with the guidance of the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement.

Proposed measures are calculated to align with Viet Nam’s actual conditions, based on national socio-economic development scenarios. The draft also incorporates the most updated strategies, master plans, and action plans on climate change response and socio-economic development at national, sectoral, and local levels.

“NDC 3.0 will represent Vietnam’s highest level of effort and contribute meaningfully to the global response to climate change,” he said.