Circular No. 06/2023/TT-BTNMT guides the integration of climate change response content into strategies and plans.

CIRCULAR

Guidelines for integrating climate change response content into strategies and plans

Pursuant to the Environmental Protection Law dated November 17, 2020;

Pursuant to the Planning Law dated November 24, 2017;

Pursuant to Decree No. 08/2022/NĐ-CP dated January 10, 2022 of the Government detailing certain provisions of the Law on Environmental Protection;

Pursuant to Decree No. 68/2022/NĐ-CP dated September 22, 2022 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment;

At the request of the Director of the Climate Change Department and the Head of the Legal Department;

The Minister of Natural Resources and Environment issues this Circular to guide the integration of climate change response content into strategies and plans.

Chapter I GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation

This Circular guides the integration of climate change response content into strategies and plans.

Article 2. Applicability

This Circular applies to agencies and organizations assigned the task of developing and adjusting strategies and plans as stipulated in Article 25 of the Law on Environmental Protection, and relevant agencies, organizations, and individuals involved in developing and adjusting strategies and plans.

Article 3. Strategies and plans must integrate climate change response content into strategies and plans

1. Strategies and plans must integrate climate change response content as specified in the Appendix attached to this Circular.

2. The content of integrating climate change response into strategies and plans as stipulated in Clause 1, Article 93 of the Law on Environmental Protection.

Article 4. Principles and requirements for integrating climate change response content into strategies and plans

1. Principles of integration

a) Integrating climate change response content into strategies must comply with the integration steps prescribed in this Circular and relevant laws; integrating climate change response content into plans must comply with the integration steps prescribed in this Circular and laws on planning;

b) Climate change response content integrated into strategies and plans must be based on climate change scenario analysis, impact assessment, determination of climate change response measures, and must be reflected in the objectives, contents, and socio-economic indicators of strategies and plans.

2. Requirements for integration

a) Ensuring consistency and synchronization with national climate change response policies, national development orientations, sectors, fields, and regions; involving relevant stakeholders; promoting gender equality, encouraging diversity, and efficient resource utilization;

b) Considering comprehensively, objectively, intersectorally, and regionally, based on scientific and technological achievements, practical experiences from both domestic and international contexts, natural conditions, socio-economic circumstances, development levels, and resources of the country and regions; taking advantage of positive impacts and minimizing negative impacts of climate change;

c) Being consistent with the goals, scope, and content of strategies and plans at different levels, sectors, and fields, and the natural and socio-economic characteristics of regions; ensuring feasibility, effectiveness, and sustainability.

Article 5. Information and data serving the integration process

1. The most recent climate change scenarios published by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.

2. National strategy on climate change, National green growth strategy, and other related strategies.

3. The most recent nationally determined contribution of Vietnam.

4. National adaptation plan to climate change; Action plan to reduce methane emissions; action plans of ministries, sectors, and localities on climate change response, green growth, and other related actions.

5. Reports including climate assessments; climate change response; climate change impact assessments; monitoring and evaluation of adaptation activities; greenhouse gas inventories; mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions; disaster situations and disaster prevention and control work of ministries, sectors, and localities, and other related reports.

6. Meteorological, hydrological, marine observation information, and extreme events data from past and present periods.

7. National master plan; strategies, plans for economic and social development, sectors, and fields.

8. Other relevant documents.

Chapter II INCORPORATING CONTENT ON ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE INTO STRATEGIES

Article 6. Steps to Incorporate Content on Adaptation to Climate Change into Strategies

Incorporating content on adaptation to climate change into strategies shall be carried out during the process of developing the strategy through the following steps:

1. Proposing activities to incorporate content on adaptation to climate change in the explanatory notes of the tasks for developing the strategy;

2. Analyzing the impacts of climate change and requirements for adaptation to climate change;

3. Determining solutions for adaptation to climate change to be incorporated into the strategy;

4. Incorporating content on adaptation to climate change into the strategy;

5. Soliciting opinions on the content on adaptation to climate change that has been incorporated.

Article 7. Proposing Activities to Incorporate Content on Adaptation to Climate Change in the Explanatory Notes of Tasks for Developing the Strategy

1. The agency or organization assigned the task of developing or adjusting the strategy must determine the requirement to carry out activities to incorporate content on adaptation to climate change in the explanatory notes of the tasks for developing the strategy.

2. The activities proposed to incorporate content on adaptation to climate change in the explanatory notes of the tasks for developing the strategy include:

a) Evaluating the impacts of climate change in accordance with Circular No. 01/2022/TT-BTNMT dated January 7, 2022, issued by the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment detailing the implementation of the Law on Environmental Protection regarding adaptation to climate change (hereinafter referred to as Circular No. 01/2022/TT-BTNMT);

b) Reviewing, compiling, and analyzing requirements for adaptation to climate change;

c) Evaluating and determining solutions for adaptation to climate change to be incorporated into the strategy;

d) Other activities directly related to incorporating content on adaptation to climate change into the strategy;

đ) Proposing content on adaptation to climate change that has been analyzed, evaluated, and determined to be incorporated into the objectives, contents, and socio-economic indicators of the strategy.

Article 8. Analyzing the Impacts of Climate Change and Requirements for Adaptation to Climate Change

1. Collecting and compiling information on climate change simultaneously with the process of collecting and compiling information for developing the strategy.

2. Conducting an evaluation of the impacts of climate change in accordance with Circular No. 01/2022/TT-BTNMT, including negative and positive impacts of climate change on the country, sectors, and fields; regions and vulnerable groups.

3. Compiling and analyzing requirements for adaptation to climate change, including requirements for adapting to climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions for the country, sectors, and fields; regions and vulnerable groups.

4. Analyzing policies, activities, and solutions for adaptation to climate change.

Article 9. Determining Solutions for Adaptation to Climate Change to Be Incorporated into the Strategy

1. Determining solutions for adapting to climate change

Based on information and data in the National Strategy on Climate Change, the National Plan for Adaptation to Climate Change, other relevant documents on adapting to climate change stipulated in Article 5 of this Circular, and the results of analyzing the impacts of climate change and requirements for adaptation to climate change stipulated in Article 8 of this Circular, the following shall be determined:

a) Sectors, fields, key areas, and communities at risk of being adversely affected by climate change;

b) Solutions for adapting to climate change including: institutional mechanisms and policies; infrastructure and non-infrastructure projects; development of science and application of advanced technology; green transition, digital transformation, circular economy; development of human resources, raising awareness, mobilizing financial resources, international cooperation, and other solutions;

c) Prioritizing effective and sustainable adaptation solutions; solutions that take advantage of positive impacts brought about by climate change.

2. Determining solutions for reducing greenhouse gas emissions

Based on information and data in the National Strategy on Climate Change, Vietnam's Nationally Determined Contributions, other relevant documents on reducing greenhouse gas emissions stipulated in Article 5 of this Circular, and the results of analyzing the impacts of climate change and requirements for adaptation to climate change stipulated in Article 8 of this Circular, the following shall be determined:

a) Main sectors, fields, and entities emitting greenhouse gases;

b) Overall targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, sectoral and field-specific targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in key areas; contributions towards the national target of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050;

c) Measures to implement greenhouse gas emission reduction in line with national development goals, sectoral and field-specific directions, key area plans, and socio-economic development plans.

Article 10. Integration of climate change response content into strategies

1. Integration into the objectives of the strategy

a) The integration of climate change adaptation goals into the strategy's objectives must aim to minimize the negative impacts of climate change and capitalize on its positive effects;

b) The integration of greenhouse gas emission reduction goals into the strategy's objectives must be specific to key sectors, fields, and regions.

2. Integration into the content of the strategy

a) Integration into the perspective of the strategy: Climate change adaptation solutions and greenhouse gas emission reduction measures must be clearly reflected in the development perspective of the strategy;

b) Integration into tasks and solutions of the strategy

Climate change adaptation measures integrated into the tasks and solutions of the strategy shall be implemented to achieve the climate change adaptation goals set out within the scope of the strategy. The integration content should ensure food security, water security, energy security, livelihoods; minimize the negative health impacts of climate change on vulnerable areas and communities; enhance the resilience of natural ecosystems; and simultaneously leverage the positive impacts of climate change for socio-economic development;

Greenhouse gas emission reduction measures integrated into the tasks and solutions of the strategy shall be implemented to achieve the greenhouse gas emission reduction goals set out within the scope of the strategy.

3. Integration in determining socio-economic indicators of the strategy

Consider integrating indicators on climate change adaptation and greenhouse gas emission reduction targets to determine socio-economic indicators within the scope of the strategy. Determining climate change adaptation indicators and greenhouse gas emission reduction targets shall be based on relevant information and data stipulated in Article 5 of this Circular.

Article 11. Soliciting opinions on integrated climate change response content

Soliciting opinions on integrated climate change response content in draft strategies shall be conducted concurrently with soliciting opinions on draft strategies.

Chapter III INTEGRATION OF CLIMATE CHANGE RESPONSE CONTENT INTO PLANNING

Article 12. Steps to integrate climate change response content into planning

Integrating climate change response content into planning shall be carried out during the planning process through the following steps:

1. Proposing activities to integrate climate change response content in the planning task;

2. Analyzing the impacts of climate change and requirements for adaptation to climate change;

3. Identifying climate change response measures to integrate into planning;

4. Integrating climate change response content into planning;

5. Soliciting opinions on the content on adaptation to climate change that has been incorporated.

Article 13. Proposing activities to integrate climate change response content in the planning task

1. Agencies and organizations assigned the task of developing or adjusting plans must identify the need to implement activities to integrate climate change response content in the planning task.

2. Activities proposed to integrate climate change response content in the planning task include:

a) Assessing the impact of climate change as prescribed in Circular No. 01/2022/TT-BTNMT;

b) Reviewing, compiling, and analyzing requirements for adaptation to climate change;

c) Evaluating and identifying appropriate climate change response measures consistent with the plan;

d) Other activities directly related to integrating climate change response content into planning;

đ) Proposing climate change response content that has been analyzed, evaluated, and identified for integration into the objectives, content, and socio-economic indicators of the plan.

Article 14. Impact Assessment of Climate Change and Requirements for Climate Change Response

1. Collecting and compiling information on climate change concurrently with the process of collecting and compiling information for planning.

2. Conducting an impact assessment of climate change in accordance with Circular No. 01/2022/TT-BTNMT. The results are compiled according to the following contents:

a) The impacts of climate change at different scales and geographic areas; at the national, regional, and local levels and across industries and sectors; positive and negative impacts of climate change;

b) Vulnerability, risk, loss, and damage caused by climate change to the country, regions, localities, and industries and sectors;

c) Other relevant information.

3. Compiling and analyzing requirements for responding to climate change

a) Measures already implemented and ongoing, experiences and outcomes of models and activities adapting to climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions at ministries, sectors, and localities; scale, scope, and target groups for reducing greenhouse gas emissions;

b) Plans for implementing adaptation measures and reducing greenhouse gas emissions; reviewing long-term measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in line with the goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.

Article 15. Determining Measures to Respond to Climate Change for Integration into Planning

1. Determining solutions for adapting to climate change

Based on information and data from the National Strategy on Climate Change, the National Plan for Adaptation to Climate Change, and other related documents on adaptation to climate change as stipulated in Article 5 of this Circular, and the results of the impact assessment of climate change and requirements for responding to climate change as stipulated in Article 14 of this Circular, determine:

a) Sectors, fields, key areas, and communities at risk of being adversely affected by climate change;

b) Adaptation measures focused on minimizing negative impacts and maximizing positive impacts brought about by climate change, including: institutional and policy frameworks; infrastructure and non-infrastructure projects; scientific development and advanced technology application; green transition, digital transformation, circular economy; human resource development, raising awareness, financial resource mobilization, international cooperation, and other measures;

c) Prioritizing effective and sustainable adaptation solutions; solutions that take advantage of positive impacts brought about by climate change.

2. Determining solutions for reducing greenhouse gas emissions

Based on information and data from the National Strategy on Climate Change, Vietnam's Nationally Determined Contributions, and other related documents on reducing greenhouse gas emissions as stipulated in Article 5 of this Circular, and the results of the impact assessment of climate change and requirements for responding to climate change as stipulated in Article 14 of this Circular, determine:

a) Main sectors, fields, and entities emitting greenhouse gases;

b) Overall targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, sectoral and field-specific targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in key areas; contributions towards the national target of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050;

c) Measures to implement greenhouse gas emission reductions that align with national, sectoral, and regional development goals, key areas, and socio-economic development;

Article 16. Integrating Content on Responding to Climate Change into Planning

1. Integrating into the objectives of the plan

a) Long-term adaptation objectives and greenhouse gas emission reduction objectives must be consistent with overall trends, natural conditions, and development potential of the country, regions, localities, and sectors;

b) Greenhouse gas emission reduction targets need to be quantified appropriately within the scope of the plan.

2. Integrating into the content of the plan

a) Integrating into the analysis of the context and forecasting development trends

Adapting to climate change: current status, evolution, and trends of climate change; impacts of climate change on planning and impacts of planning on climate change response; practical experiences in enhancing adaptive capacity, reducing vulnerability, and risks due to climate change in both short and long terms; positive impacts brought about by climate change;

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions: current status and trends of greenhouse gas emissions; efforts made, scientific and technological applications, challenges in implementing greenhouse gas emission reduction at the national, regional, and local levels and across sectors;

b) Integrating into the perspective of the plan

The perspective of the plan on responding to climate change must be clear, long-term, and feasible; consistent with overall trends, economic and social development policies and directions, and natural conditions and development potential of the country, regions, localities, and sectors;

c) Integrating into the plan options, directions, or orientations

Based on the natural characteristics, socio-economic conditions, and advantages of the country, regions, and localities, integrate priority measures for responding to climate change, which may include adaptation measures or greenhouse gas emission reduction measures or both;

Sectors and fields with advantages: based on climate change scenarios, impacts of climate change, consider planning development options suitable for the country, sectors, and fields, including changes in production and business methods; crop and livestock structure adjustments; other appropriate transition methods in line with planning; technical infrastructure systems: consider changing technical requirements to adapt to climate change such as standards, technical regulations, and technical requirements ensuring resilience to negative climate change impacts, including adjustments to irrigation systems, water supply and drainage system planning, port facilities, transportation infrastructure, residential areas, concentrated urban areas, disaster prevention infrastructure, flood drainage infrastructure, and other appropriate technical infrastructure solutions in line with planning;

Minimizing negative impacts of climate change: focusing on engineering solutions and nature-based solutions. Solutions must prioritize vulnerable groups and areas affected by climate change; important ecosystems that need protection and restoration, particularly coastal and headwater ecosystems and forests;

Mobilizing financial resources: diversifying investment sources including public investment, private investment, public-private partnership investment, foreign investment, financial funds, and other lawful investments;

d) Integrating into implementation measures for the plan

Policy solutions: need to be innovative, promote and diversify investment sources in response to climate change, including state budget investments, private sector investments, international investments, and other legitimate socialized sources;

Scientific and technological solutions: scientific research, innovation, technology transfer, and application in responding to climate change; breeding crop varieties suitable for changing climatic conditions, transforming production processes towards reduced energy consumption, efficient energy use, and resource reuse; early warning about natural disaster risks and disease outbreaks; other scientific and technological solutions;

International cooperation solutions: diversification and multilateralization of international cooperation to share information and experiences in attracting international investment support for sustainable development and climate change response;

Infrastructure investment solutions, regional, provincial, and inter-sectoral linkage solutions, leveraging local knowledge and experience, and other solutions;

3. Integration in determining socio-economic indicators of planning

Consider integrating indices on adaptation to climate change and reduction targets for greenhouse gas emissions when determining socio-economic indicators within the scope of the plan. The determination of adaptation indices and greenhouse gas emission reduction targets shall be based on relevant information and data stipulated in Article 5 of this Circular.

Article 17. Soliciting Opinions on Integrated Climate Change Response Content

Soliciting opinions on integrated climate change response content in draft plans shall be conducted concurrently with soliciting opinions on draft plans.

Chapter IV IMPLEMENTATION PROVISIONS

Article 18. Transitional Provisions

1. For strategies and plans that have been approved by competent state authorities for assignment tasks or adjustments prior to the effective date of this Circular, implementation shall follow the legal provisions at the time of approval of the assignment tasks or adjustments of the strategies and plans.

2. For strategies and plans that have integrated climate change response content and were approved before the effective date of this Circular, from the date this Circular becomes effective, if there are adjustments to the strategies or plans, they must integrate climate change response content according to the provisions of this Circular for the adjusted parts of the strategies or plans.

3. For strategies and plans that have not integrated climate change response content and were approved before the effective date of this Circular, from the date this Circular becomes effective, if there are adjustments to the strategies or plans, they must integrate climate change response content according to the provisions of this Circular.

Article 19. Effective Date

1. This Circular takes effect from October 1, 2023.

2. Ministries, ministerial-level agencies, agencies under the Government, People's Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities, and related organizations and individuals are responsible for implementing this Circular.

3. During implementation, if difficulties or obstacles arise, related agencies, organizations, and individuals are requested to promptly report to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment for study, guidance, amendment, and supplementation./.