HCM City (VNA) – The Japan International CooperationAgency (JICA) is committed to helping Vietnam work towards realizing its goalon reducing greenhouse emissions, experts from the agency said at a workshop onJanuary 7.

Vietnam has pledged to cutgreenhouse emissions by 8 percent with its own efforts, and by 25 percent with internationalsupport.

At the workshop, JICA expertssaid Vietnam must continue to take “concrete climate actions” to become alow-carbon economy and comply with the global Paris Agreement. 

The workshop was held to review JICA’s project for “Supportthe Planning and Implementation of Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions ina Measurable, Reportable and Verifiable Manner”. 

The project, begun in 2015 and to end this month, aims to strengthen the role ofthe state in promoting mitigation policies to support its implementation of theagreement. 

It also supports efforts to create a greenhouse gas (GHG)emissions reduction roadmap.

It conducted a low-carbon technology assessment on mitigationoptions under the Nationally Determined Contribution Vietnam has committed tounder the agreement. 

Japanese experts have provided training to staff at thecity's Department of Natural Resources and Environment in using theAsia-Pacific Integrated Model to visualise future GHG emission trends.

Based on the simulation results of the model, the city willbe able to take potential mitigation actions for its Climate Change Action Plan.

According to the results, by 2030 GHG emissions in the citywould increase by around 2.6 times from 2016 levels without any mitigationactions. 

But with effective mitigation actions, it could reduce theemissions by around 20 percent compared to the no-mitigation-action scenario,according to JICA. 

Recommendations for the new Climate Change Action Plan havebeen submitted to the department. 

Japanese experts have also done an energy efficiency reviewfor buildings in the city and recommended a carbon reporting system like theone applied by the Tokyo metropolitan government. 

With the system, Tokyo was able to reduce energy consumptionby 16 percent in 2000-12, JICA said. 

Nguyen Toan Thang, director of the department, said: “Theexperience of Tokyo is very useful for HCM City as the number of buildings inthe city has increased quickly. The system will also help raise occupants’awareness of energy saving.

“The project’s most significant achievements are its supportfor the development of Vietnam’s contribution to international climate changeefforts in the form of its Nationally Determined Contribution to the ParisAgreement.”

Vietnam’s rapid economic growth in recent years has beenenergy dependent as the country’s energy system has become more carbonintensive, according to experts. 

The country is vulnerable to climate change due to its longcoastline and extensive river estuaries, which has forced it to develop apolicy committed to taking action on climate change. 

Vietnam was quick to ratify the Paris Agreement and was oneof the very first countries to develop a plan of action for the implementationof the agreement, which specifies necessary measures, responsibilities andspecific support requirements. 

However, the country still lacks implementation experience,according to experts./.