What are regulations on 07 principles of environmental protection in Vietnam?

What are regulations on 07 principles of environmental protection in Vietnam?

I would like to ask, according to the latest promulgated environmental protection law 2020, what are principles of environmental protection in Vietnam?

Reply: 

According to Article 4 of the Law on Environmental Protection 2020, there are regulations on principles of environmental protection, specifically:

1. Environmental protection is the right, obligation and responsibility of every agency, organization, residential community, household and individual.

2. Environmental protection serves as a basis, key factor and prerequisite for sustainable socio-economic development. Environmental protection activities are associated with economic development and natural resource management, and considered and assessed in the process of carrying out development activities.

3. Environmental protection harmonizes with social security, protection of children’s right, promotion of gender equality and protection of the human right to live in a pure environment.

4. Environmental protection activities are carried out in a regular, public and transparent manner; priority is given to prediction and prevention of environmental pollution, emergencies and degradation, environmental risk management, waste minimization and strengthening of reuse and recycling of waste with a view to maximization of its value.

5. Environmental protection complies with natural law, natural, cultural and historical characteristics, and the level of socio-economic development; boost development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas.

6. Any agency, organization, residential community, household or individual profiting from the environment is obliged to make their financial contribution to the environmental protection activities; pay compensation for damage, take remedial measures and assume other responsibilities as prescribed by law if causing environmental pollution, emergencies and degradation.

7. Environmental protection is not detrimental to the national sovereignty, security and interests, and is associated with regional and global environmental protection.

What are State policies on environmental protection in Vietnam?

I want to ask, in the near future, what are State policies on environmental protection in Vietnam? Please advise.

Reply: 

According to Article 5 of the Law on Environmental Protection 2020, there are regulations on State policies on environmental protection

1. Facilitate the involvement of agencies, organizations, residential communities, households and individuals in performance, inspection and supervision of environmental protection activities.

2. Disseminate information in association with taking administrative and economic measures and other measures to strengthen compliance with law on environmental protection and build a culture of environmental protection.

3. Focus on biodiversity conservation and protection of environment in natural heritage sites; efficiently and economically extract and use natural resources; develop green and renewable energy; develop technical infrastructure serving environmental protection.

4. Give priority to environmental pollution elimination and recovery of degraded natural ecosystem, and attach great importance to environmental protection in residential areas.

5. Diversify sources of investment capital for environmental protection; set a specific expenditure on environmental protection within the state budget and according to environmental protection requirements and tasks; prioritize the use of sources of funding for key environmental protection tasks.

6. Safeguard interests of organizations, residential communities, households and individuals making their contribution to environmental protection activities; provide incentives and assistance for environmental protection activities; promote environmentally-friendly products and services.

7. Intensify scientific research and development of technologies for pollution elimination, waste recycling and treatment; give priority to transfer and application of advanced, high and environmentally-friendly technologies and best available techniques; strengthen training in human resources in environmental protection.

8. Honor and reward agencies, organizations, residential communities, households and individuals for their active role in environmental protection activities as prescribed by law.

9. Expand and promote integration and international cooperation in environmental protection, and adhere to all international environmental agreements.

10. Screen investment projects according to environmental criteria; apply appropriate environmental management tools in each stage of the strategy, planning, program and investment project.

11. Incorporate and promote circular economy and green economy in formulation and implementation of socio-economic development strategies, planning, plans, programs and projects.

What are general regulations on surface water protection in Vietnam?

I want to ask about general regulations on surface water protection. Please advise under the new regulations.

Reply: 

According to Article 7 of the Law on Environmental Protection 2020, there are general regulations on surface water protection as follows:

1. Quality of surface water, sediments and aquatic environment must be monitored and evaluated; surface water carrying capacity must be calculated, determined and announced.

2. Sources of waste discharged into surface water must be managed in a manner that is appropriate to intended use and carrying capacity of surface water. Result of appraisal of the environmental impact assessment report shall not be approved for or environmental license shall not be issued to the new investment project that discharges wastewater directly into the surface water that has reached its carrying capacity as announced by a competent authority, except for the case in which the investment project owner has adopted a scheme to treat wastewater in accordance with technical regulation on environment regarding quality of surface water before discharging it into a water body or has adopted a circulation or recycling scheme in order not to generate more wastewater or the case where the project aims to deal with pollution and improve quality of the environment in a pollution area.

3. River water shall be protected by applying the principles of integrated river basin management and associated with biodiversity conservation, aquatic environment protection, management of water source protection corridors, and reasonable extraction and use of water.

Best Regards!