Regulations on environmental zoning as a basis for environmental protection planning in Vietnam

Regulations on environmental zoning as a basis for environmental protection planning in Vietnam (Internet image)

Article 32 of the Draft Law on Environmental Protection (Amended) stipulates environmental zoning as a basis for environmental protection planning in Vietnam as follows:

- Environmental zoning is the division of territorial space based on natural, socio-economic characteristics, and environmental functions into zones and subzones as a basis for environmental protection planning to protect, conserve, and develop harmoniously with the environment and respond to climate change.

- Basis for environmental zoning:

- Geographic, climatic, natural resource, and environmental characteristics;

- Environmental load-bearing capacity, level of environmental sensitivity;

- Natural disaster risks and impacts of climate change;

- Current state and development trends of socio-economics.

- Environmental zoning must ensure principles of respecting objectivity, conforming to natural conditions, accepting relative homogeneity, and ensuring harmony with socio-economic zoning.

- The environmental zoning system includes zonal and subzonal levels. The subzonal level shares some common characteristics with the zone and has unique features.

- The Minister of Natural Resources and Environment stipulates specific criteria and methods for environmental zoning.

Thus, this Draft specifically stipulates environmental zoning as a basis for environmental protection planning ensuring objectivity, conformity to natural conditions, relative homogeneity, and harmony with socio-economic zoning.

More details can be found in Draft Law on Environmental Protection (amended in 2020)

Ngoc Tai

>> CLICK HERE TO READ THIS ARTICLE IN VIETNAMESE