As news outlets around the world pick apart the pros and cons of last week's landmark climate change deal, Vietnam seems to have a few reasons to celebrate.
Though the accord officially limits global warming to no more than 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, Vietnam, along with several other island and low-lying nations, managed to convince the nearly 200-strong international delegation to "pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels", reports the Guardian. This is a huge benefit to one of the nations most affected by climate change in the world. Like the rest of the world, Vietnam currently faces major issues related to climate change, including the risk of losing its coastal cities, not to mention up to 40% of the Mekong Delta.
At the 21st Convention of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP21), Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung also announced a modest US$1 million donation to the Green Climate Fund, reports Vietnam News.
According to Dung, Vietnam will continue to work toward its current goal of cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 8% by 2030, however that the figure could go as high as 25% with international support, the prime minister noted.
Vietnam will also continue to receive support from the French Agency for Development (AFD), reports Nhan Dan. The organization has provided soft loans of up to €10 million to Da Nang and Can Tho since 2012 as well as implementing additional projects in Saigon, Lao Cai and Nha Trang. Such efforts include the creation of eco-friendly electricity networks, the construction of waste management plants and household relocation for families especially prone to disasters.
Moving forward, it remains to be seen whether or not the promises of COP21 will come to fruition over time, not just in Vietnam but around the world, but it's at least a start in tackling a global problem.
