The US Agency for International Development (USAID) has announced that it would launch two new projects worth US$74 million over five years to help Vietnam address the impacts of climate change and land use.

The two new projects will help conserve a forest area nearly the size of Delaware and Rhode Island combined. Healthier, fuller forests, coupled with strong biodiversity, is critical to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Sustainable afforestation can make a positive contribution to the climate. Photo: Xuan Tuyen

The planned $36 million Sustainable Forest Management project, implemented by DAI Global, will reduce carbon emissions from deforestation, forest degradation, and poor timber plantation management practices in seven provinces, USAID said.

According to the Us agency, the project is expected to strengthen Vietnamese law enforcement’s ability to combat forest crimes- such as illegal logging, improve the livelihoods of 60,000 people in forest-dwelling communities, and reinforce the management of more than 250,000 hectares of forest.

The other US$38 million Biodiversity Conservation project with support from the World Wildlife Fund will protect critical ecosystems to build resilience against the impacts of climate change, maintain and increase forest quality, and protect and stabilize wildlife populations.

It is also expected to improve the ability of community patrol teams to detect and deter wildlife trafficking, improve economic opportunities for forest-dependent communities, and strengthen the management of 700,000 hectares of forest.

Both projects are expected to help conserve over 950,000 hectares of forests across 12 provinces/cities in Vietnam, contributing to combat climate change through promoting biodiversity and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

These activities build upon over a decade of USAID’s partnership with the Vietnamese government, the private sector, and other partners to protect forests and biodiversity, counter wildlife trafficking, and curb environmental pollution to mitigate the effects of climate change.

At an online climate summit hosted by the US President Joe Biden last Friday, Vietnamese President Nguyen Xuan Phuc stressed Vietnam's committment to reducing 9% of its greenhouse gas emissions using domestic resources, and up to 27% with international assistance.