How does Vietnam monitor climate change?

How does Vietnam monitor climate change? (Image from the internet)

What is climate change?

According to Clause 13, Article 3 of the Law on Hydrometeorology 2015, climate change is defined as follows:

Climate change is the alteration of the climate over an extended period due to the effects of natural conditions and human activities, evidenced by global warming, sea-level rise, and increased occurrences of extreme hydrometeorological events.

How does Vietnam monitor climate change?

In Chapter V of the Law on Hydrometeorology 2015, there are current regulations on monitoring climate change in Vietnam as follows:

(1) Regarding the content of climate change monitoring

- Establish, manage, and operate climate change monitoring stations and databases on climate change monitoring.

- Collect hydrometeorological information and data observed at the national hydrometeorological station network, specialized hydrometeorological station network, and related information and data.

- Develop national climate standards.

- Analyze, evaluate, and monitor manifestations of climate change.

- Assess the impact of climate change on natural disasters, resources, the environment, ecosystems, living conditions, socio-economic activities, and inter-sectoral, inter-regional, and inter-field issues; evaluate adaptation and mitigation solutions for climate change concerning socio-economic development.

- Assess the national climate.

- Develop climate change scenarios.

- The Minister of Natural Resources and Environment stipulates details in Clauses 5 and 6 of Article 33 of the Law on Hydrometeorology 2015.

(Article 33 of the Law on Hydrometeorology 2015)

(2) Climate change monitoring database

- A climate change monitoring database is a comprehensive and unified collection of information and data on climate change monitoring, forming part of the national hydrometeorology database.

- Content of climate change monitoring information and data:

+ Past and present hydrometeorological information and data observed from the national hydrometeorological station network and specialized hydrometeorological station network;

+ Information and data on the impact of hydrometeorological disasters and climate change on resources, the environment, ecosystems, living conditions, and socio-economic activities;

+ Information and data on greenhouse gas emissions and socio-economic activities related to greenhouse gas emissions;

+ Ozone monitoring information and data, ozone layer protection, and management of ozone-depleting substances;

+ National climate standards;

+ Results of the national climate assessment;

+ Climate change scenarios for different periods;

+ Technical documentation of climate change monitoring stations;

+ Results of scientific research, programs, and projects on climate change monitoring;

+ Legal documents, technical guidelines on climate change monitoring.

- Climate change monitoring information and data are stored, exploited, and used according to the provisions of Articles 30 and 32 of the Law on Hydrometeorology 2015.

(Article 34 of the Law on Hydrometeorology 2015)

(3) Regulations on national climate assessment

- Content of the national climate assessment:

+ The current state of Vietnam's climate up to the end of the assessment period;

+ Climate variability and changes compared to the historical, previous assessment period, and national and international climate standards;

+ Impact of climate and climate change on resources, environment, ecosystems, living conditions, and socio-economic activities;

+ Results of climate change response activities;

+ Applicability of climate change scenarios, the use of climate change scenarios in climate change response activities;

+ Other related contents.

- The national climate assessment period is 10 years and can be adjusted or supplemented when necessary.

(Article 35 of the Law on Hydrometeorology 2015)

(4) Regarding climate change scenarios

- Basic content of climate change scenarios:

+ Announcements from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and Vietnam's assessment of climate change manifestations in the region and worldwide;

+ Manifestations of climate change in Vietnam;

+ Results of assessing previous climate change scenarios;

+ Changes in temperature, rainfall, humidity, sea-level rise, and other hydrometeorological factors in Vietnam in the future, according to assumptions;

+ Other related contents.

- The period for developing and announcing climate change scenarios is 5 years and can be updated, adjusted, and supplemented when necessary.

(Article 36 of the Law on Hydrometeorology 2015)

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