Coastal localities lack resources to tackle climate change

With a long coastline, Vietnam is one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change, particularly rising sea levels. However, due to a lack of resources, many coastal areas remain unprepared to handle climate change.

Over 2 kilometres of beachfront in Tam Quang Ward in the central province of Quang Nam has been severely eroded in the past 5 years. According to the provincial department of natural resources and environment, ocean erosion takes away over 10 metres of casuarina trees each year.

"At some parts, 2-3 metres of land is eroded. At some other parts, a few metres. Storms in September and October are particularly strong", Nguyen Dinh Quoc, Resident of Tam Quang Ward in Quang Nam Province, said.

Erosion has also been found in several Mekong Delta provinces that were previously never prone to salinisation. Figures show that the Mekong Delta region loses about 500 hectares of land each year.

Climate change has wreaked havoc in coastal central and Northern regions. This August, 40-year record rainfall in the northern province of Quang Ninh caused losses of 2.5 trillion dong or 111 thousand USD.

At the conferences that reviewed climate change adaptation pilot models recently held in Quang Nam and Ben Tre provinces, representatives from many localities have said that tackling climate change requires huge resources. Therefore, they hope that nations will reach agreement to tackle the effects of climate change during COP 21.

COP21 is expected to reach agreement on mitigating greenhouse emissions, promoting green growth and support from developed economies for developing nations

In the next five years, besides domestic sources, the National Target Programme to cope with climate change is predicted to raise 3 trillion dong from international sponsors. This fund will be used to implement climate change adaptation measures and stabilise livelihood of vulnerable communities.