Strategies Mainstreaming of Ecosystem-Based Adaptation (EBA) In Vietnam

Viet Nam, East Asia and Pacific

The project ”Strategic mainstreaming of ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) in Vietnam” provides the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment with technical support to systematically integrate innovative ecosystem-based solutions into national and local adaptation planning. To that end it offers capacity training to stakeholders at both the national and provincial level. Moreover, it provides technical support to facilitate the implementation of EbA measures on the ground.

Ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) is a concept that uses functioning ecosystems to mitigate and adapt to the negative impacts of climate change. The EbA approach has the potential to deliver a vast array of benefits to countries like Vietnam. Vietnam is not only extremely vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change but also a hotspot for biodiversity. Strengthening the capacity of stakeholders at the national and provincial level to mainstream EbA into national climate adaptation frameworks and other development plans is a key prerequisite for the successful implementation of such an approach.

Impact of activities

INCREASED INTEGRATED PLANNING AT THE POLICY LEVEL: With the help of various capacity building and dissemination workshops of the project, EbA actions have been integrated into national sector planning. This impact can be seen through the newly integrated focus on EbA approaches in the Updated Climate Change Response Action Plans (CCRAP) for the years 2016 to 2020.

INCREASED AWARENESS AND ADAPTIVE CAPACITIES AT THE LOCAL LEVEL: As learnt from the monitoring and evaluation exercise, farmers and local authorities have gained an improved understanding of climate change and its negative impacts. The increased awareness strengthened the adaptive capacity of both women and men. Behavioral change among farmers towards more sound farming practices has been observed over time. Changing plantation practices, including the promotion of horticulture led to increased income and food security. People also adopted improved water use practices for irrigation and drinking water which contributed to increased water security.

ENHANCED ECOSYSTEM HEALTH: As learnt from the monitoring and evaluation exercise, there hasbeen an improvement in overall ecosystem health observed in increased vegetation cover, soil health and ground water recharge. Thus, the project has contributed to enhance the resilience to cope with extreme climatic events like floods and droughts.

Institutions involved

LEAD EXECUTING AGENCY: Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE).

SUPPORTING AGENCY: Germany’s International Climate Initiative (ICI) with funding of the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety (BMUB).

IMPLEMENTATION PARTNERS: Institute of Strategy and Policy on Natural Resources and Environment (ISPONRE) and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.

RESEARCH PARTNERS: ICEM – International Centre for Environmental Management, Hanoi (conducted vulnerability assessments)

UNIQUE forestry and land use GmbH (assessed options for implementation and upscaling of EbA approaches with a focus on coastal protection forest plantations)

World Agroforestry Centre for feasibility study on the implementation of EbA plan in Ha Tinh

OTHER GOVERNMENT PARTNERS: involved for constant engagement, capacity building and facilitating integration of EbA into existing programs: The provincial People’s committees (PPC), the Departments of Natural Resources and Environment (DONRE), Departments of Planning and Investment (DPI), Departments of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) of Ha Tinh and Quang Binh, VNFOREST, The Vietnamese General Department of Land Administration, Vietnam Environment Administration, Department of Climate Change.

Source details
Global Good Practice Analysis (GIZ UNDP)