Việt Nam

Core analysis conducted and presented by Pham Houng Que of Việt Nam in November, 2022.

Executive Summary

On youth and gender inclusion, Việt Nam is rated as: poor.

Việt Nam is at high risk of vulnerability to climate change, with 70% of the population living in coastal areas and low-lying deltas and 75% of the country’s population living in rural areas. On emissions, the updated NDC promises to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 9% (unconditional) and 27% (conditional) by 2030 with the goal to achieve net-zero by 2050. The NDC also aspires to top deforestation by 2030 and reduce methane emissions by 30% from 2020 levels, joining more than 100 other nations in making similar commitments.

On gender mainstreaming, Việt Nam’s updated NDC indicated women's vulnerabilities under the specific context of climate change and socioeconomic realities; however, there was no mention of women's roles as active stakeholders contributing to climate action.  There is a National Gender Equality Strategy, which should be utilized to inform climate action and adaptation efforts.

On youth inclusion, youth vulnerabilities were not taken into account in Việt Nam’s NDC. In 2021, Vietnamese youth developed the country’s first special report, “Youth for Climate Action in Việt Nam”, which claims that there are four main barriers preventing young people from taking climate action: financial restrictions, a lack of stakeholder support, and skill and technology limitations. Recognising youth as stakeholders in climate action could contribute to further meaningful youth engagement.

Key recommendations:

  • Gender equality must be integrated in all climate strategies to better impact long-term mitigation.

  • More climate finance should be allocated to sustain the involvement of women and youth in climate action.

  • Youth and women need more active involvement and engagement in climate-related decision making processes.

  • Việt Nam should develop a YEP (Youth Engagement Plan) to better understand youth perspectives and their gaps in climate action, as well as to provide opportunities for youth engagement and ensure their rights.

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Pham Huong Que (she/her), Vietnam │ Pham holds a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science and Management. She is a researcher, Climate Activist and a Youth leader in her community. Her passion is working to find the best approach between nature-based and local community-based solutions to strengthen climate resilience, reduce disaster risk and ensure sustainable livelihoods for vulnerable communities. She is also the National Director of ISEC (International Student Environmental Coalition) in Vietnam and a member of the YOUNGO Adaptation and Indigenous Working Group. She aspires to become a scientist who will change the world by applying a methodical, critical, and organized approach to problem-solving.