Vietnam fully committed to global efforts to fight climate change

The country’s efforts to respond to climate change have been lauded by the international community, he told Vietnam News Agency correspondent on the sidelines of the 24th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 24) in Katowice, Poland.

Vietnam has worked with foreign nations to build an agenda carrying out the Paris Agreement adopted at the COP 21 in 2015, he said, adding that negotiations for realisation of the agreement at this year’s conference were a monumental triumph.

Touching on the challenges for developing countries like Vietnam in carrying out the agreement, Tan said developed countries are more interested in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions while Vietnam, among the countries hardest hit by climate change, focuses on the response to climate change.

However, reducing greenhouse gas emissions is mandatory for Vietnam from 2021, which requires large capital for technologies, which could affect resources for economic development.

As support for developing countries to tackle climate change will decline, especially financial commitments, they should stand on their own feet, he said.

As for Vietnam, using resources in an effective manner will encourage other countries to provide more support for the nation, he stressed.

The Paris Agreement was adopted at the COP21 in Paris on December 12, 2015. In the agreement, all countries agreed to work to limit global temperature rise to well below 2 degrees Celsius, and given the grave risks to strive for 1.5 degrees Celsius.