FIGURE 1. Perceptions of the extent public power is used for private gains32 2 1.5 1 1.4
0.5 0 -0.5
-0.6
-0.5
-0.2
-0.1
Viet Nam Low-income developing countries Emerging market developing countries ASEAN Advanced economies
-1 Source: Worldwide Governance Indicators, D. Kaufman (Natural Resource Governance Institute and Brookings Institutions) and A. Kraay (World Bank), 2017
Viet Nam32is one of the countries most affected by climate change, due to its low-lying areas, and is subject to flooding, storms and drought. Viet Nam’s report on intended Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), launched in October 2015, indicates that the costs associated with natural disasters (mostly induced by weather events) could rise to 3-5 percent of GDP by 2030. Women are particularly vulnerable to the hazards of climate change, as their resilience is hampered by ongoing social, cultural and political disadvantages (they are unable to be fully engaged in decisions and implementation regarding climate resilience). A recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report noted that, in Viet Nam, at least 50 million people would be exposed to the impacts of rising sea levels and powerful storms, among other dangers. The Mekong Delta remains among the regions in the world most vulnerable to rising sea levels and drought, which devastate crop production. Saltwater intrusion in the Mekong Delta and other parts of the country contaminates potable water, which continues to threaten widespread water security and has a big impact on rice production.33 32
33 34
Economic development still heavily depends on fossil fuels and the unsustainable exploitation of natural resources, increasing the risk of disaster (for example, forest clearing leading to landslides and mangrove cutting increasing the risk of coastal erosion) and undermining opportunities for sustainable development.34 The power sector accounts for two-thirds of Viet Nam’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Carbon emissions have risen from 0.26 metric tons in 1990 to 2.0 metric tons in 2016, with a projected increase of up to four times in the absolute total, making up 86 percent of total net emissions in 2030. Viet Nam is actively trying to address this issue by aiming for the COP21 intended NDC target and increasing efforts in investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency. The growing population, and increasing affluence and consumption, have led to the unsustainable exploitation of sand for construction, timber and fisheries. There are associated issues related to waste management, especially plastics in the Mekong River and coastal areas and air pollution in Hanoi and
Scores range from -2.5 (lowest) to 2.5 (highest). These indicators are derived from perceptions-based data. The vertical line for Viet Nam indicates the lower and the upper bound estimate based on 90 percent confidence interval. This area is known as the rice basket of Viet Nam and essential for food security and rice exports. Information in these two paragraphs is derived from: the World Bank (https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/vietnam/overview, April 27, 2020); GlobalSecurity.com; the Asian Development Bank Country Partnership Strategy (2016-2020); the current UN One Strategic Plan and UNDP Country Plan for Viet Nam; UNDP Human Development Indicators http://hdr.undp.org/en/indicators/186606; Tham C. Hoang, Marsha C. Black, Sandra L. Knuteson, Aaron P. Roberts. 2019. Environmental Pollution, Management, and Sustainable Development: Strategies for Vietnam and Other Developing Countries. Environmental Management (2019) 63: 433–436.
CHAPTER 1. BACKGROUND AND INTRODUC TION
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