HCM City (VNS/VNA) – Ho Chi MinhCity will assess the relationship between the factors that cause climate changeand its socio-economic plans to develop long-term responses.

Nguyen Thi Thanh My, deputy director of thecity’s Department of Natural Resources and Environment, elaborated on the taskat a recent meeting held to review implementation of climate changeresponse plans over the last four years and set out orientations andtasks for the next decade.

All sectors and government agenciesat all levels would need to join hands to find an effective approach torespond to the challenges of climate change and implement the city’sgreen-growth strategy, she said.

According to Mai Tuan Anh, head of thedepartment’s meteorology, hydrology and climate change division, thecity’s responses to the challenges posed by climate change haveenjoyed positive results in the last four years.

Research into and assessment of the impactsof climate change on natural, human and socio-economic factors have beenimplemented effectively thanks to a new methodology for buildinglocal climate change scenarios by the Ministry of Natural Resources andEnvironment, he said.

“That helps the city … develop solutions tomitigate the impacts of climate change.”

The Department of Industry and Trade hasbuilt models for energy monitoring and management that ensure no energy iswasted in the industrial sector that uses over six million kilowatt-hours ayear.

The department subsidises the training ofpersonnel at key industrial facilities in energy management.

It also organises seminars and propagates theadoption of energy consumption norms for the steel, plastic and chemicalindustries to help them clearly understand the laws on efficientuse of energy and the benefits of energy saving.

To mitigate the impacts of flooding caused byheavy rains and high river tides, the city has invested in a number oftidal flood-control works like building sluices and dykes and dredging canals.

There are now only 22 flood-prone points inthe city, down from 127 three years ago. The flooding also lasts shorter-- for only 15-40 minutes after the rains stop -- and isonly 0.1-0.3 metres in depth.

The city has made plans to draw waterfrom Dau Tieng and Tri An reservoirs to ensure there is enough for peoplefacing water shortages caused by climate change.

The People’s Committee has been implementinga plan on household solid waste classification at source since 2017, andpeople are gradually getting into the habit of separatingtheir wastes before dumping them, making recycling and treatmenteasier.

The city has invested in infrastructure,replacing rudimentary vehicles with modern garbage trucks and using advancedtechnologies to treat waste.

It has also invested in sanitarylandfills and solid waste treatment plants that convert waste intoelectricity and generate by-products that can be recycled for compost andhelp reuse plastic waste.

The Department of Transport is workingto diversify fuels, develop infrastructure forclean and renewable energy and promote the use ofvehicles that use clean and environment-friendlyfuels such as CNG, LPG and electricity.

This has helped gradually replace traditionalfuels such as petrol, save energy and reduce pollution andgreenhouse gas emissions.

The department also regularlychecks vehicles for emissions, especially those emitting black smoke.

But Anh admitted there remained challenges informulating a response to climate change.

For instance, data from studies andinvestigations on the effects of climate change wasinsufficient in terms of both quality and quantity fordeveloping a comprehensive and effective response, he said.

"Propaganda and dissemination ofinformation to improve public awareness have not been successfulin mobilising the business community to participate in climate-changeresponses," he added.

An official from the Department ofAgriculture and Rural Development said the city should seek the collection ofused bottles and packages that contained plant protectionsubstances for proper disposal.

They should not be burnt or discardedindiscriminately since they could release toxic gases, he said.

It was necessary to encourage farmers not toburn straw after harvesting rice to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, andinstead use it to grow mushrooms and as animal feed.

People livingin places affected by climate change should select plants thatadapt to salinity and have a short growth period, he added.

The Department of Construction said it wouldpromote the use of unburnt and other environment-friendly buildingmaterials for construction.

It would regularly check standards,procedures and technical regulations for the treatment and consumption of ash,slag and gypsum discharged from thermal power plants, chemicaland fertiliser plants and gypsum factories./.