Japan helps HCM City with climate change policies

A work plan for 2019 to help Ho Chi Minh City review its climate change policies and update action plans was agreed at the final workshop of a Japan International Cooperation Agency technical cooperation project.
Japan helps HCM City with climate change policies ảnh 1The final workshop of the Japan International Cooperation Agency’s technical cooperation project on supporting HCM city in developing climate policies was held on January 8 (Photo Courtesy of JICA)
HCM City (VNS/VNA) - Awork plan for 2019 to help Ho Chi Minh City review its climate change policiesand update action plans wasagreed at the final workshop of a Japan International Cooperation Agencytechnical cooperation project.

The project, to “support theplanning and implementation of nationally appropriate mitigation actions inmeasurement, reporting and verification procedures”(SPI-NAMA) in HCM City, aids preparations for a new climate change action planfocusing on building energy efficiency, strengthening the capacity of the cityfor GHG inventory development and considering low-carbon technology for thetransport sector.

At the workshop, the city’sDepartment of Natural Resources and Environment and Japanese experts reportedthe results of their technical work done in 2018 under the HCM City component.

Within the scope of the SPI-NAMA,since early 2018 the JapanInternational Cooperation Agency (JICA)has increased cooperation with the city.

The activities in HCM City during2018 contributed to preparations for upstream policies in the local context andprovided practical lessons learnt for further advancing its policy goals.

For example, a joint study by thecity and JICA identified large greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation potential bybuilding energy-efficient buildings and recommending further actions based onthe good practices of Tokyo city.

Support for developing a city-level GHG inventory with qualityassurance under the project provides sound scientific evidence for establishinga mitigation target in future.

A study of seaports also showedpotential for GHG reduction and economic benefits, and provided a framework formonitoring reporting and verification to be replicated in other areas. 

Jun Ichihara, chief advisor tothe SPI-NAMA project, said the planned activities would focus on estimatingfuture GHG emission trends and emission reduction potential in the city byapplying a model developed by Japanese research institutions and universities,determining priority mitigation programmes and actions and analysing policyoptions to promote the programmes and actions.

Murooka Naomichi, seniorrepresentative at the JICA Vietnam Office, said: “With the current frequentflooding [in the city], which has become more serious due to climate changeimpacts such as sea level rise, the city government needs to take action tosafeguard the city and its people.

“It is essential that the citycontinues to provide strong leadership as a role model for other municipalitiesand provinces in Vietnam for sharing best practices and lessons learnt onstrong climate policies.”

Furthermore, the city’sexperience will be reflected by the Ministry of Natural Resources andEnvironment in its future policies to empower non-state stakeholders inimplementation of the Paris Agreement.

The workshop yesterday wasorganised by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the HCM CityDepartment of Natural Resources and Environment and JICA.-VNS/VNA
VNA

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