Among the issues discussed at the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), nature-based solutions become a highlight in mobilizing support to tackle climate change challenges in Vietnam.

Nature-based solutions (NbS) are ways of utilizing nature to benefit biodiversity and humans alike. They are effective alternatives to address challenges like climate change, disaster risk reduction, food and water security, biodiversity loss, and human health. 

Van Ngoc Thinh, CEO of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Vietnam, speaks at COP28 in Dubai, UAE. Photos: WWF Vietnam

“Ranked among the world’s 16 most biologically diverse countries, Vietnam stands at the nexus of opportunities and challenges. The potential for success in embracing NbS is promising, yet we must approach these solutions with precision and thoroughness to avert undesirable consequences,” said Van Ngoc Thinh, CEO of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Vietnam.

For that reason, an important session titled “Mobilizing Finance for Nature-based Solutions in Vietnam” session was held at COP28 by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE), the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), HSBC, and WWF.

The event aimed to gather resources from the public and private sectors as well as pertinent stakeholders to support the application of nature-based solutions and encourage proactive approaches to tackle Vietnam’s climate change issues.

During the event, the leaders of the Government of Vietnam presented policies and strategies for climate change mitigation and adaptation, including the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and the National Adaptation Plan (NAP). They highlighted Vietnam’s positions and goals in putting into practice nature-based solutions through conservation and sustainable development.

Meanwhile, representatives of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) shared perspectives from the public sector, emphasizing collaborative initiatives between the US and Vietnam in nature conservation and biodiversity. Through its projects in Vietnam over the past years, USAID has invested in establishing scalable, high-quality, and high-integrity nature-based solutions.

Regarding the private sector, the HSBC representative gave insightful information on possible means of mobilizing finance and requirements for fundraising of NbS projects.

WWF Vietnam presented case studies and NbS best practices in recent years, highlighting initiatives carried out in the Central Annamite and Mekong Delta regions of Vietnam. In addition, WWF introduced new frameworks, mechanisms, and opportunities for the implementation of NbS in Vietnam, including the NbS-Origination Platform and the HSBC NbS-Accelerator.

CEO Van Ngoc Thinh reaffirmed that WWF is steadfast in its commitment to continuing its cooperation with the Vietnamese government in implementing NbS throughout the nation, specifically identifying suitable approaches and gathering necessary resources for effective performance.

Dang Quoc Khanh, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE) (4 from left) and WWF representatives at a meeting at COP28.

Role of WWF

To seek support and finance for NbS, MONRE worked with WWF leaders in a bilateral meeting at COP28 hosted by Minister Dang Quoc Khanh.

The discussions focused on cooperation on biodiversity conservation, climate change adaptation, sustainable development, and financial resources for NbS with the participation of WWF representatives, including Tanya Steele, CEO of WWF UK; Marcene Mitchell, Senior Vice President for Climate Change, WWF-US; Ajs Dam, Senior Director for Corporate Partnerships, WWF-Denmark; and Van Ngoc Thinh, CEO WWF Vietnam.

Minister Dang Quoc Khanh valued WWF’s support and requested its continued cooperation in fostering a green economy, promoting circular economy practices, expanding biodiversity corridors and nature reserves, ensuring a just transition to renewable energy, and mobilizing international resources, especially from the UK, Denmark, and the US.

WWF welcomed Vietnam’s commitments at COP28 to shift toward sustainable growth, saying that Vietnam is a leading example of climate action in its path to low carbon by 2050.

Tanya Steele, CEO of WWF UK appreciated the Government of Vietnam’s efforts in fulfilling biodiversity commitments, stating that Vietnam, with its high biodiversity, is a top priority for the WWF network in addressing biodiversity-related challenges.

Meanwhile, Marcene Mitchell, Senior Vice President for Climate Change, WWF US, said WWF is currently designing the NbS Origination Platform program for Central Vietnam and has secured commitments from sponsors such as Velux, Apple, International Paper, and Cisco with a rapid signing of the Letter of Intent (LOI) based on their collective consensus.

Ajs Dam, Senior Director for Corporate Partnerships, WWF-Denmark, shared that for two decades, they have been with WWF Vietnam, fostering biodiversity conservation, livelihoods, sustainable development, and climate and energy initiatives. In collaboration with WWF US, they pledged to support WWF Vietnam in developing a 20-year strategy with the Vietnamese government for a sustainable future. 

Nature-based solution values biodiversity and the well-being of people.

Typical nature-based solutions in Vietnam.

Vietnam is home to 16% of the world’s flora and fauna. Its diverse and thriving ecosystems not only support an array of life but also sustain the livelihoods and well-being of millions of people. However, the system faces a significant challenge. Vietnam is one of the world’s most vulnerable countries to the climate crisis. In this context, nature-based solutions hold the key to protecting and adapting to the changing world.

WWF Vietnam has contributed to this collective effort. It has raised awareness, facilitated training, and secured finance for nature-based solutions. In the Central Annamite, the organization has supported the transformation of land and livelihoods by turning coffee monoculture and plantations into healthier and more biodiverse landscapes. It also helped to increase forest carbon stocks and improve community well-being through safe and sustainable business models.

In the Mekong Delta, WWF Vietnam has helped farmers to work with nature by allowing seasonal flooding to bring in new water and sediment and by testing new crop combinations suitable for seasonal flood-based farming. They are supporting communities to develop tourism services such as homesteads, to provide new livelihoods in the face of changing conditions. At the same time, they are campaigning to ensure sediment to the Delta is maintained and enhanced, helping to ensure a future for people, wildlife, and fisheries.

According to WWF Vietnam, nature-based solutions are not just about conserving landscapes, they're about safeguarding livelihoods, ensuring food security, and securing a better future for generations to come.