SPEECH BY THE MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT AT THE CONSULTATIVE GROUP MEETING Hanoi, 4 December 2009 Excellency Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, Excellency Minister of Planning and Investment Vo Hong Phuc, Excellency Madame Victoria Kwakwa, World Bank President in Viet Nam, Distinguished delegates, On behalf of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, I am very honored to be here at the Consultative Group Meeting 2009 with the following items: (1) major policies to respond to and mitigate the impacts of climate change; (2) environmental degradation. 1. Major policies to respond to climate change and mitigate its impacts a. Background on the impacts of climate change on Viet Nam: As one of a few countries strongly affected by climate change, Viet Nam is constantly facing with dramatic changes that heavily impact our national development and the livelihood of the poor major victims of climate change. In the last 50 years (from 1958 to 2007), Viet Nam has seen a rise of 0.5-0.7 Celsius degree in average temperature and sea level rise of 20 cm. Climate change has caused natural disasters, including big typhoons, flood, and draughts with increasing intensity, frequency and scale. According to the scenario of climate change in Viet Nam to 2100 published in September 2009, the average temperature in Viet Nam may rise by 2.3 Celsius degree and the sea may rise by 75 cm to 100 cm by 2100, compared to the level of 1980-1999. Viet Nam has a long coastal line with many dense areas with big populations and economic activities. If the sea rises by 100 cm, 10 percent of Vietnamese population will be directly affected and the estimated loss in GDP reaching 10%. Forty thousand square km of the Mekong delta will be under water. The Red River and Mekong River deltas are the source of major grains for 86 million Vietnamese and millions others around the world. The effects of climate change, particularly sea level rise not only hit millions of Vietnamese but also food security and the world. The damage caused by climate change in Viet Nam has increased rapidly, taking hundreds of lives and causing economic losses of millions of dollars every year. The consequences of climate change on Viet Nam and the whole world are imminent in agricultural production, bio-diversity and water resources. Although the majority of solutions in recent years are construction of water-resource facilities, non-construction measures will be the key for the future, as they bring about greater sustainability and security when climate changes more dramatically. Apart from climate change and sea level rise, Viet Nam is also heavily affected by regular natural disasters and extreme weather. In recent years, irregular changes have 1
been experienced. Typhoons, flood and draughts spread throughout the country, causing enormous difficulties for millions of people. Floods constantly hit the central part of Viet Nam, tidal waves were experienced in Ho Chi Minh city, along with long periods of cold in the North. The Storm Number Six in 1997, typhoon Durian In December 2006 are some extreme phenomena of the climate. Those natural disasters left behind them high number of casualties and property damages all over the country. As such, how to mitigate and effectively respond to climate change has become a high priority for the whole society, ministries, agencies and all the peple. b. Viet Nam s policies to respond to climate change Viet Nam is fully aware of the heavy impacts of the climate change and wants to join hand with the international community to fight it. Therefore, the country was one of the first signatories of the UN Climate Change Convention and the Kyoto Protocol. Viet Nam is not bound by the Annex I of the Convention, therefore, not obligated to reduce greenhouse emission under the Kyoto Protocol. However, Viet Nam still joins other developing countries in complying with common responsibilities such as (1) developing the national report on climate change; (2) making inventory of greenhouse gas emissions; (3) assessing the impacts of climate change on socio-economic development and identifying the most vulnerable sectors and regions; (4) designing and implementing measures to adapt to climate change; (5) designing and implementing programs and solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emission when receiving the full assistance and technology transfer from developed countries and international organizations; (6) conducting research and monitoring elements related to climate and climate change; (7) updating and disseminating information on climate change and the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). By October 2009, eleven projects built by Viet Nam have been designated by the CDM Executive Board as CDM projects. Viet Nam already finished the first national report on climate change in compliance with the UN Climate Change Convention and submitted it to the Convention Secretariat in December 2003. The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources is coordinating with other agencies to compose the second national report, which is expected to be completed in 2010. On 14 April 2006, the Prime Minister issued the Decision 79/2006/QD-TTg that ratifies the National Target Program on Energy Conservation. According to this Program, Viet Nam will save up to 5-8% of the total energy consumption by 2015, reduce a part of investment for the energy supply system while maintaining its socio-economic benefits and protect the environment with the appropriate use of energy sources geared towards sustainable socio-economic development. To actively cope with natural disasters, the Prime Minister approved the National Strategy on Natural Disasters Prevention and Mitigation to 2020 in November 2007. The objective of this Strategy is to muster all the resources to effectively deal with natural disasters from now to 2020. The ultimate purpose is to minimize casualties and property damages, protect natural resources, the environment and cultural heritages, so as to ensure sustainable development, national defense and security. In December 2008, the Government of Viet Nam also approved the National Target Program to Respond to Climate Change. The strategic objective of this Program is to 2
assess the impacts of climate change on different sectors, industries and localities in different period, so as to design a viable Action Plan that works effectively in the long and short-term. Another aspect is to make use low-carbon development strategies and join hand with the international community in fighting climate change and protecting global environment. In August 2009, our Ministry, with the permission of the Government, announced the scenario of climate change in Viet Nam in the 2020-2100 period, based on which sectors, industries and localities will design their own Action Plan to respond to climate change. Among the responsibilities and projects to implement the National Target Program to Respond to Climate Change in 2009-2015 are the following responsibilities and projects: - Assessing the level of changes and nature of weather phenomena; considering the integration of climate change in natural disaster readiness programs. - Improving and upgrading climate monitoring and early warning systems; designing the model to manage river basins; comprehensive model to manage coastal line that takes into account climate change; - Improving the predictive power and warning for natural disasters; recommending solutions to deal with the aftermath; - Designing curriculum for training and search and rescue exercises, rapid response in emergencies related to climate change and natural disasters. - Researching and designing the network for search and rescue that adapts to climate change and suits the needs of each region and type of operation; designing the regulations to ensure the effectiveness of this network. c. Impacts of climate change on water resources: As I have said, climate change strongly affects water resources. The Assessment Report of water companies reveals that the lack of water resources will be a major difficulty for Viet Nam s socio-economic development if a viable solution can not be found. Water sources, especially in dry season, are hard to preserve, given the low level of major rives and irregular flows, causing compartmental water shortages. After this issue was raised at the high-level meeting of the water sector, the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources has undertaken the following measures: - Designing the National Target Program on Water Resources to ensure the security of water resources in the long and short run; managing, using and protecting water resources in a comprehensive, inclusive, sustainable and effective manner to boost economic growth, reduce poverty, protect the environment and improve people s quality of life. This Program also identifies the concrete activities and measures to respond to the impacts of climate change on water resources. - Six major tasks of the National Program on Water Resources from 2010 to 2020 include: (1) completing the legal framework for water resources management; (2) increasing cooperation in joint protection of trans-national water sources; (3) sharing water resources on a fair and appropriate basis that also ensures economic growth, poverty reduction and environment protection; (4) protecting and recovering degrading water sources; (5) investigating, assessing and constructing the information network and database on water resources; (6) improving the capacity to manage water resources. The fifth draft of the National Target 3
Program on Water Resources was completed and is expected to be discussed by donors and relevant agencies in the coming weeks. - Guiding the identification of minimum flows and environmental flows that ensure the healthy existence of the rives, protect under-water ecosystems, the quality of water, while using water sources according to priorities (quantity and quality). - Guiding the master plan for river basins, including the master plan to use, share and divide water sources to balance the supply of water when water shortages occur and reduce the competition in water use. 2. Policy Dialogues on Climate Change In recent months, the Policy Dialogue Platforms (PDPs) were established within the framework of the International Support Group for Environment (ISGE) to deepen discussions on priorities related to natural resources and environment, including climate change, and call for the support and resources from ISGE to assist international programs/projects on climate change. This is also a wide network to share and disseminate important information among those interested in the response to climate change in Viet Nam. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has worked closely with relevant agencies to build the Policy Matrix to Respond to Climate Change in 2009-2011 with three pillars: (i) adaptation; (ii) mitigation; and (iii) inter-sectoral issues to muster support for the response to climate change in Viet Nam. Many dialogues and seminars with experts from Japan s JICA, AFD of France and other experts from Viet Nam were organized to discuss and share experience related to the issues raised in the Policy Matrix on the Support Program for Viet Nam to respond to climate change. So far, the third draft of the Policy Matrix has been completed with an assessment of the outcome in 2008-2009 and the plan for next phases based on the second draft of the Policy Matrix. 3. Pollution a. Urban air pollution - Situation: + Dust pollution: This is a major concern related to urban air. There is too much dust in the air, especially in traffic conjunctions, construction and industrial sites. The majority of dust on the roads are from the vehicles in traffic. In 1998, there were only 270,000 automobiles of all types and 6 million motobikes. In 2008, there were 20 million motobikes and nearly 750,000 automobiles. + Air pollution resulted from noxious gases: the emission of CO, SO 2 and NO 2 in the air in urban areas, in general, remains at a permitted threshold. However, in some areas at some certain times, the emission of those gases rises. Due to traffic circulation, the emission of NO 2 in main roads is higher than other areas, especially in urban areas where means of transportation are numerous. In Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, statistics show that the emission of NO 2 per hour in busy traffic areas sometimes overpass Viet Nam s norms (0.2 mg/m 3 ). + Noise pollution in urban areas has become more serious and had grave impacts on the people s daily life. 4
Activities related to the development of industries, transportation, construction and craft villages have resulted in air pollution and posed a big challenge for the management of air pollution in the future. - Adopted measures: + We have worked closely with related ministries and departments to implement national programmes and international cooperation programmes on improving air quality such as programmes on Improving Urban Air Quality, Capacity Enhancement of Science and Technology Research on Environmental Protection and Viet Nam- Switzerland Clean Air Programme. + We have developed a master investigation plan on waste causing air pollution and waste from peat cookers / brick-kilns in three major urban economic sectors to come up with control measures and roadmap to mitigate pollution. - At present, there are many difficulties in pollution control in Viet Nam in general and environmental pollution control in particular because: (i) no database on air pollution management and control is available; (ii) we haven t got any statistics, registration and inventory of static and moving waste causing air pollution; (iii) there is no update on air quality and when pollution occurs, there is inadequate assessment and analysis on the reasons and solutions to the problem; (iv) investigation and control of air pollution have not been carried out on a regular basis, the pollution control mechanism has not been finalized; and (v) the capacity of pollution control, in terms of organization, personnel and equipment for pollution control at both the central and local levels, is limited. - Measures: Air pollution is a complicated issue, relating to many urban sectors and areas, such as construction, land use, transportation, people s life and industrial development. Therefore, the control and mitigation of urban air pollution should be based on comprehensive measures. 1. Enhance capacity for State management agencies on environmental protection: + We should increase the quantity and quality of staff in charge of environment management in general and air quality management in particular at all central and local levels in accordance with specific circumstances of each area. + It is necessary to set up groups of management, supervision and oversight staff; strictly punish cases of violation to ensure the enforcement of laws on environment protection and air protection. 2. Improve policies and laws on urban air protection by clearly defining the rights to and responsibilities for air protection of organizations and individuals, stipulating concrete (severe and heavy enough) punishments for every single case of violation and develop regulations on damage compensation in air protection. + We should review and finalize national norms on air protection. 5
+ We should also set up a Statute on Urban Air Protection. This statute should identify the responsibilities of different urban sectors and areas in waste emission to promptly prevent bad impacts and stop the decreasing air quality in urban areas today. 3. Establish plans for air quality management nationwide and big urban areas (including, in the near future, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang ). 4. Increase spending for air protection management, especially in urban areas; enhance monitoring activities, waste inventory and urban air control. 5. Accelerate research and professional training on air protection. 6. Enhance people s participation in air protection and urban air protection in particular. In the short-term, the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources will carry out research and set up a Plan for Air Pollution Control till 2015. In the long-term, the Ministry will propose the development of a National Strategy on Air Pollution Control till 2020 and with the vision to 2030 and work out a plan for capacity enhancement and improvement of environment and air management. b. Water pollution: - Situation: The pollution of surface and ground water has been serious. The pollution in the basins of Cau, Nhue, Day, Dong Nai and Thi Vai Rivers has been alert. In 2006, the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources made the National Environment Report on the state of water environment in the basins of Cau, Nhue, Day and Dong Nai Rivers. + In Cau River, the surface water in the middle and lower streams is widely polluted because of some organic substances, suspended solid and oil (some areas have been gravely polluted) from industrial activities, craft villages and urban life. According to statistics till 2004, in the basin of Cau River, there were more than 2,000 industrial enterprises, 200 craft villages and 1,200 medical centres including around 15,400 beds with about 5,400 m 3 of medical waste water a day. In addition, the population in urban areas increases rapidly while urban infrastructure development doesn t keep pace with population growth, thus resulting in severe pollution due to waste water. Almost waste water is not treated but directly poured into rivers and lakes in the lower stream of rivers. Castle and poultry breeding in Cau River expands every year but rarely have measures been undertaken to treat solid waste and waste water from livestock farms. Such waste has directly penetrated surface water. The collection of solid waste is at a low rate, accounting for only 40-45% in the whole basin. There is no dumping place and system for waste water treatment that can meet sanitation requirements. + Surface water in the basins of Nhue and Day Rivers is being dramatically affected by waste water and industrial, agricultural and fishery activities. In the basins of Nhue and Day Rivers, water in many branches has been gravely contaminated mainly by 6
organic substances, suspended waste, annoying odours, coloured levels and bacteria, especially in dry season. Given the high population density (3,5 times of the country s population), the rapid population growth in provinces in Nhue and Day Rivers has led to the increase in waste water. Almost waste water is not treated but directly poured into rivers and lakes in the basin of rivers. There are here nearly 26,300 patient beds (47% in Hanoi) in over 1,400 medical centres with more than 10,000 m 3 of medical waste water a day. According to statistics till 2004, in Nhue and Day Rivers, there were 4,113 industrial enterprises (67% based in Hanoi) and 458 craft villages, emitting various types of waste and causing grave pollution to the basin. Waste water in craft villages is not treated but directly poured into rivers, seriously contaminated surface water. The collection of solid waste is still at a low rate (20% in rural areas). + In the basin of Dong Nai River, as the river goes through many provinces, its basin has been affected by pollution of many kinds. In the lower stream, there are many dead branches. The basic reason is population growth, urbanization, industrialization, especially in provinces in Southern major economic areas. Besides, the environment in this area is dramatically impacted by the development of hydroelectricity, and irrigation, the use of chemical fertilizers, herbicide and pesticide, mineral exploitation and water transportation. According to statistics till 2004, in the basin of Dong Nai River, there were 9,147 industrial enterprises (60% in Ho Chi Minh City). Dong Nai River absorbs about 480,000 m 3 of waste water a day from industrial zones and scattered industrial production bases. To mid 2006, there were 56 industrial and processing areas in operation, 21 of which have system for water treatment. Otherwise, waste water was poured directly in rivers and lakes. Moreover, mineral exploitation is also a reason for the pollution of water surface. The exploitation of bauxite in Lam Dong, ores and gold in 50 sites in Northern Dong Nai, Lam Dong and Southern Dak Nong is mainly open exploitation with simple facilities. Every day, hundreds of thousands of water is used to clean hundreds of thousands of tonnes of soil and waste water is spilled into Dong Nai rivers, making it contaminated. According to statistics in 2002, in Central and Southern provinces, there are 491 craft villages, 291 firms and production cooperatives with simple and obsolete equipments and technologies, small-scale production and low investment in system for waste water treatment. Besides, 8.4 million people live in 77 urban areas in the basin. These urban areas polluted Dong Nai River with nearly 992,000 m 3 of non-treated waste water a day. - Implemented measures: + To mitigate environment pollution in the three above-mentioned basins, the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources has submitted to the Prime Minister for the adoption of the Project on the protection and sustainable development of ecological environment and landscape in the basin of Cau River ; the Project on environment protection in the basin of Nhue and Day Rivers till 2020 and the Project on environment protection in the basin of Dong Nai River till 2020. These projects are 7
being implemented and expected to succeed in tackle pollution in the three mentioned basins by 2020. Accordingly, the Committees on Environment Protection in Cau and Dong Nai Rivers have been established (the Committee on Environment Protection in Cau River has convened 4 sessions and the Committee on Environment Protection in Dong Nai had its first session in June 2009). After Dong Nai River Committee was set up, on 12 th December 2008, the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, in coordination with the People s Committees of Ho Chi Minh City and other provinces in the basin of Dong Nai River, organized a conference to implement the Prime Minister s Decision on Environment Protection in the basin of Dong Nai River and a workshop on the project on combating environment pollution in Thi Vai River in Ho Chi Minh City. The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, in coordination with these People s Committees and related ministries, implemented priority projects adopted in Decision No 157/2008/QD- TTg; came up with measures on financial sources and called on investment in these projects. At present, the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources is preparing for the inauguration meeting of the Committee on Environment Protection in Nhue and Day Rivers, expected to be held in November 2009. + The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources has been launching monitoring programmes along the basins on an automatic and semi-automatic basis to control water pollution in springs. This initiative is expected to be submitted to the Prime Minister for adoption in 2010. + Every year, the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources works together with localities to carry out investigation, supervision and oversight on measures to deal with environment pollution. Spontaneous investigation and supervision are undertaken in case of complaints or emerging incidents. - To succeed in implementing projects on environment protection in the mentioned basins, in the future priority should be given to the following measures: + We should finalize and supplement the system of normative legal documents on environment management and protection in basins; amend the Law on Water Resource by approving general management, clearly defining and decentralizing responsibilities between central and local authorities, between ministries, and between local authorities themselves in a same basin. + We should promulgate the Statute on Environment Protection in each basin, identifying all environment issues and code of conducts for parties concerned. + We should develop area planning for exploitation and use of water resource and treatment of waste water in a systematic and integrated manner in each basin. 8
+ The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Planning and Investment should take into account recommendations on setting up private financial mechanism to make a breakthrough in implementing projects adopted by the Government. + It is necessary to promulgate amended and supplemented decrees of Decree No 81/2006/ND-CP on administrative punishment in the violation of environment protection by increasing punishments and expanding punishment authorization. + We should encourage people to participate in the supervision of law obedience in environment protection. On this occasion, on behalf of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, I would like to express my profound thanks to governments, organizations and international donors for your support and assistance over the past time. I am also grateful for the close coordination from related ministries, departments and localities. I look forward to receiving you financial and technical support in the areas of State management of our Ministry, thus contributing to the achievement of sustainable development goal in Viet Nam. I wish you the best of health and happiness, I wish our conference a great success, Thank you very much for your attention! 9