Greenhouse emissions in Vietnam are expected to soar through 2020, as heard during a conference held in Hanoi on July 28 which reviewed the outcomes of the 2010-2015 national master plan in response to climate change.

According to Tran Van Luong, Deputy Head of the Industrial Safety Techniques and Environment Agency, Vietnam emitted 246.8 million tonnes of carbon dioxide in 2010, 53 percent of which came from the energy sector. Within the next ten years, the number is forecast to hit 466 million tonnes, with 381.1 million tonnes sent out by the energy sector.

The five-year plan was based on a public budget of 32 billion VND (1.47 million USD). Since 2010, the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) has carried out 11 relevant communications and training projects and 14 projects to evaluate the impacts of climate change and put forth solutions. A model designed to curb industrial greenhouse emissions has yet to be piloted.

A large number of conference participants pointed to the low budget which was only approximately 6 billion VND (276,498 USD) for an entire year.

Nguyen Van Thanh, Director of the Department of Chemicals, said only training and research activities were launched during the period as the result of weak coordination among different units under the ministry.

Luong continued suggesting that it is necessary to mobilise greater support from public funding and international aid as well as enhance information exchange and technology transfer with other countries.

Climate change response ought to be part of relevant programmes implemented nationwide on energy efficiency or environmental protection, among others, he noted.

MoIT Deputy Minister Hoang Quoc Vuong concluded the conference, saying with the limited budget, each unit should devise preferential policies for enterprises to encourage their involvement in combating climate change.-VNA