Directive No. 35/2005/CT-TTg On the Implementation of the Kyoto Protocol under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

DIRECTIVE

Regarding the implementation of the Kyoto Protocol under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change aims to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere to protect the global climate system, ensure food security, and facilitate sustainable economic and social development for humanity.

The Kyoto Protocol of the Climate Change Convention is a legal instrument to implement the Convention and has been in effect since February 16, 2005. A key aspect of the Kyoto Protocol is setting legally binding emission reduction targets for developed countries and mechanisms to assist developing countries in achieving sustainable economic and social development through the implementation of the "Clean Development Mechanism" (CDM). CDM projects are invested in areas such as energy, industry, transportation, agriculture, forestry, and waste management.

Vietnam has ratified the Climate Change Convention and the Kyoto Protocol, thus enjoying benefits intended for developing countries in receiving financial support and transferring new technologies from developed countries through CDM projects.

To effectively implement the Kyoto Protocol on climate change in Vietnam, the Prime Minister instructs relevant ministries and sectors to carry out the following tasks:

1. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, which serves as the lead agency of the Government of Vietnam in participating in and implementing the Kyoto Protocol, shall be responsible for organizing the implementation of the following tasks:

a) Taking the lead and coordinating with the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and other relevant ministries and sectors to develop and submit to the Prime Minister by the fourth quarter of 2005 a plan to implement the Kyoto Protocol for the period 2006-2010, including prioritized industries and fields in Vietnam that align with the national socio-economic development plan for the period 2006-2010;

b) Taking the lead and coordinating with the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Planning and Investment, and other relevant ministries and sectors to study and forecast the market for Certified Emission Reductions (CERs) and guide agencies, organizations, and businesses in building CDM projects in Vietnam to be submitted for approval by competent authorities;

c) Taking the lead and coordinating with relevant ministries and sectors to integrate CDM activities with the implementation of other international conventions or commitments related to the environment that Vietnam has joined.

2. The Ministry of Culture and Information shall take the lead and coordinate with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and mass media organizations to raise awareness among all levels of society about the dangers caused by climate change, responsibilities, and benefits when participating in the implementation of the Kyoto Protocol and CDM.

3. The Ministry of Justice shall take the lead and coordinate with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and other ministries, sectors, and localities to review relevant legal regulations to propose supplements and amendments to encourage and facilitate the implementation of the Kyoto Protocol; the Ministry of Justice shall report to the Prime Minister on this work by the first quarter of 2006.

4. The Ministry of Finance shall take the lead and coordinate with the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, and other relevant ministries and sectors to develop a Financial Mechanism Project for CDM specifying preferential measures regarding tax, interest rates on state credit loans, and subsidies to encourage domestic and foreign organizations and individuals to invest in CDM projects in Vietnam. The Ministry of Finance shall submit this project to the Government by the fourth quarter of 2006.

5. The Ministry of Planning and Investment shall take the lead and coordinate with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the Ministry of Industry, the Ministry of Construction, the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, and other relevant ministries and sectors to develop plans to attract domestic and foreign investment in CDM projects in fields such as energy, industry, waste management, transportation, agriculture, and forestry. The Ministry of Planning and Investment shall submit this plan to the Prime Minister by the fourth quarter of 2006.

6. Ministries, agencies at the level of ministries, and provincial people's committees directly under the central government, within their respective functions and tasks, shall actively integrate CDM activities into sectoral and local development plans.

Ministries, agencies at the level of ministries, and provincial people's committees shall promptly study, amend, supplement, issue, or submit to competent authorities for issuance of mechanisms and policies within their management scope to encourage the implementation of CDM.

7. Chairmen of provincial people's committees directly under the central government, following the guidance of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and relevant ministries, shall direct and create conditions for agencies, organizations, and businesses under their management to build CDM projects.

This directive shall take effect fifteen days after its publication in the Official Gazette.

Ministers, heads of agencies at the level of ministries, heads of agencies under the Government, and chairmen of provincial people's committees directly under the central government are responsible for implementing this directive.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment shall be responsible for monitoring and inspecting the implementation by ministries, sectors, and localities, and annually reporting to the Prime Minister on the implementation of this directive./.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment shall be responsible for monitoring and inspecting the implementation by ministries, sectors, and localities, and annually reporting to the Prime Minister on the situation regarding the implementation of this Directive./.