Climate change governance in Viet Nam

Abstract

This chapter analyses the recent history of climate change policy and governance in Viet Nam, including the political economy of climate change adaptation and energy transition, focusing on the Mekong Delta region. The Communist Party leads Viet Nam’s political system. It has a strong central government, but there has been administrative decentralization to provincial authorities, whose influence on public investment has increased. Climate change emerged as a critical concern from about 2007 onwards, after which Viet Nam has developed several national climate change policies, local action plans, and climate-related governance structures. Public and private investment in climate change responses has become substantial. I conclude that political guidance by the Communist Party has consolidated emerging views on climate change (2013) and renewable energy (2020) and in the process, some ministries have increased their influence over others. International aid agencies, NGOs, and private businesses have influenced views on climate change and renewable energy, but their impact should not be overstated. And while administrative decentralization has led to an increase in provincial authorities’ influence over public investment in climate change adaptation and private investment in renewable energy, these changes do not necessarily lead to increased climate resilience or emissions mitigation.