International experts share experiences in protecting and restoring mangrove forests

More than 4,000 hectares of mangrove forests were planted and restored

In the workshop held in Hue city on November 21, organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) in collaboration with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the People's Committee of Thua Thien - Hue province, more than 70 delegates attended in person, and an additional 100 participated online. This included global experts, representatives from the MARD, the People's Committee of Thua Thien - Hue province, and other relevant units. The objective was to gain insights into the multifaceted role of mangroves in environmental and community well-being.

The conference highlighted mangroves as a valuable resource for local communities and a crucial component of the "green carbon" ecosystem. This recognition positions mangroves as a valuable asset with the potential for sustainable carbon finance and climate change mitigation. The workshop served as a platform for developing countries to exchange best practices, and share lessons and experiences related to mangrove management, protection, and development. This includes incorporating mangroves into the National Determined Contribution (NDC) program and exploring the green carbon potential of mangroves for financing mangrove protection and restoration efforts, ultimately contributing to climate change mitigation and adaptation.

During the conference, Mr. Nguyen Quoc Tri, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, underscored the Vietnamese Government's commitment to strengthening forest management policies. He emphasized the pivotal role of enhancing the efficiency and economic value of coastal mangrove forests in Vietnam, calling on coastal provinces to intensify efforts in protecting and planting mangrove forests.

"After this workshop, the MARD will continue to direct specialized units to complete the forestry policy mechanism, submit it to the Government for approval, and develop technical guidelines. I call on coastal provinces to increase efforts to protect forests and plant coastal forests," shared Deputy Minister Nguyen Quoc Tri.

Ms. Ramla Khalidi, UNDP Resident Representative in Vietnam, highly appreciated Vietnam's leadership in mangrove conservation. She highlighted collaborative projects implemented with the MARD, including the planting and restoring more than 4,000 hectares of mangrove forests and an upcoming project funded by Canada to protect and expand an additional 1,000 hectares.

Ms. Ramla Khalidi also mentioned cooperation activities within the framework of UNDP's Climate Promise Global Program, supported by the British Government, to conduct carbon stock assessments in 28 coastal provinces of Vietnam. This aims to identify sustainable financial pathways and explore the potential of carbon markets with high integrity when implementing Articles 6.2 and 6.4 of the future Paris Agreement.

"The rapid loss of mangroves seriously threatens resilience, coastal biodiversity, and the livelihoods of millions of people who depend on these ecosystems. Restoring mangrove swamps is not simply an environmental imperative but also a moral obligation for future generations," emphasized Ms. Ramla Khalidi.

Mr. Alex White from the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs shared, "The UK recognizes the importance of mangrove forests in addressing climate change, biodiversity loss, and promoting sustainable development. These forests are crucial in enhancing climate resilience and supporting green growth. Our collaboration with UNDP on forests, land use, and nature is centered on understanding the benefits of ecosystems. We are delighted to witness the joint efforts of the UK and UNDP in Vietnam."

The role of mangrove forests in storing and reducing carbon emissions

The conference delved into comprehensive presentations by both domestic and international experts. Ms. Clea Paz-Rivera from UNDP emphasized the global significance of mangroves in sequestering carbon and safeguarding coastlines.

Mr. Vu Tan Phuong, representing the Sustainable Forest Management Certification Office (VFCO), highlighted the pivotal role of Vietnam's forestry sector in storing and reducing carbon emissions. He outlined forestry development strategies and greenhouse gas reduction measures aligned with the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to climate goals.

He also detailed the plan to develop the carbon market, focusing on establishing a legal framework and infrastructure for carbon trading. This initiative aims to attract the private sector to contribute to creating a low-carbon economy, ultimately enhancing business competitiveness.

Experts from Sri Lanka and Indonesia shared detailed experiences on mangrove restoration initiatives in their countries, underscoring the urgency of preserving these vital ecosystems in the face of global climate challenges.

Ms. Maitreyee Mukherjee, an expert from Singapore, analyzed the carbon market, carbon tax, and Emission Trading System (ETS), highlighting their potential role in sustainable forest management. She emphasized the importance of carbon credits in the global environmental strategy. Singapore, being the first ASEAN country to implement a progressive carbon tax in 2019, covering 80% of the country's carbon emissions, provides a noteworthy model that sends a price signal for the entire economy.

During the conference, Mr. Trieu Van Luc, Deputy Director of the Department of Forestry (MARD) presented a report on Vietnam's project titled "Protection and Development of Coastal Forests to Respond to Climate Change and Promote Green Growth for the Period 2021-2030." He emphasized advancements in policy and technical guidance for sustainable forest management, highlighting achievements in forest protection and afforestation. He also addressed challenges faced, including issues related to land use and constraints in mangrove planting.

The workshop concluded with delegates unanimously recognizing the imperative for global and local actions to protect mangroves. There was a shared understanding of the essential role of mangroves in biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation, and support for local economies.

As per the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), despite mangrove forests covering only 0.7% of the global forest area, they can store a staggering 20 billion tons of carbon, equivalent to about 2.5 times the current global greenhouse gas emissions. Disregarding mangroves or converting them for other land uses can significantly underestimate national greenhouse gas emissions.

Mangrove ecosystems face tremendous pressure from human activities, and their crucial role in climate change mitigation and adaptation is often overlooked. These ecosystems are subject to deforestation for timber and firewood, conversion into coastal development projects, and aquaculture. Such conversions result in substantial greenhouse gas emissions, further contributing to the acceleration of climate change. The preservation of mangroves is thus of paramount importance for both environmental sustainability and global climate stability.