Integrating Climate Change Adaptation and Environmental Protection into Green Urban Development
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Amid increasingly complex climate change impacts and rising environmental pollution, Vietnamese cities are facing an urgent need to shift their development models. Moving toward green, safe, and climate-resilient living spaces has become a priority, requiring a comprehensive approach that combines policy, technology, finance, and public awareness.
In recent years, Vietnam has implemented various international cooperation programs to mobilize resources, advanced technologies, and management expertise. A notable initiative is the project “Integrating Climate Resilience and Environmental Protection for the Development of Green Secondary Cities”, jointly carried out by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, the Global Environment Facility (GEF), and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
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According to the Institute of Strategy and Policy on Agriculture and Environment, the project aims to strengthen institutional capacity in environmental management, enhance resilience to climate change, and promote sustainable development pathways for secondary cities.
The project consists of four main components:
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Developing a national policy framework on environmental protection and climate resilience.
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Piloting green urban development models in three cities.
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Researching and applying innovative financial mechanisms to mitigate climate risks.
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Supporting integrated environmental and climate adaptation planning at provincial and city levels.
The three pilot locations include Hue, Tuyen Quang (formerly Ha Giang City), and Phu Tho (formerly Vinh Yen City). Key activities involve organizing workshops and training, drafting legal documents, applying legal–technical tools, formulating Green City Action Plans (GCAPs), adopting smart urban management solutions, promoting circular economy practices, advancing sustainable production and consumption, and testing eco-label criteria for environmentally friendly products and services.
Beyond infrastructure improvements and environmental governance, the project also places strong emphasis on communication and community engagement, encouraging participation from local authorities, businesses, and citizens. This creates a solid foundation for building climate-resilient secondary cities with green development orientations.
In addition, the project develops guidelines for assessing climate vulnerability in secondary cities and supports businesses in greenhouse gas inventory and verification, thereby contributing to Vietnam’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions.
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