Climate Change Mitigation: Some inputs for group discussion Hanoi, 10 June 2009 Nguyen Quang Tan RECOFTC – The Center for People and Forest

What is mitigation? Mitigation refers to human activities to reduce the sources of greenhouse gases and to enhance the sinks for these gases

Greenhouse gases  Greenhouse gases are gases (e.g. CO 2, CH 4, N 2 O) in an atmosphere that absorb and emit radiation within the thermal infrared range  Greenhouse gases are essential to helping determine the temperature of the Earth  Increases in greenhouse gas concentrations is very likely to have caused most of the increases in global average temperatures since the mid-20th century (IPCCC 2007)

Carbon sinks

Why Mitigation?  To reduce the net current or future greenhouse gas emissions  To stabilize greenhouse gas levels to limit temperature increase, and to prevent dangerous interference with the climate system  Vietnam is currently not obligated to mitigate GHG under the Kyoto Protocol, but may be in the future.  Mitigating now will allow Vietnam to generate income through selling carbon credits on the global market

Mitigation Activities Areas ENERGY:  Switching from fossil fuels (like coal) to renewable energy (Wind, solar, hydropower, biogas, nuclear)  Energy Efficiency: Through using more efficient technologies Transportation: Fuel-efficiency standards, Clean fuel technologies, Switching to public systems, etc. Buildings and Infrastructure: Insulation, efficient electricity usage Industry: Clean technologies – efficient motors, recycling of materials, capturing energy used during production processes

Mitigation Activities Areas… FORESTRY and LANDUSE:  REDD – Reduced Emission from Deforestation and forest Degradation: Preventing deforestation and degradation will help protect current carbon sinks and prevent the emissions resulted when deforestation releases the stored carbon from trees  Afforestation/Reforestation: Planting new forest areas to create new carbon sinks  Creating and enhancing carbon stocks: Restoring degraded forest areas or agricultural areas so that they are able to store more carbon

Money for Mitigation: The Carbon Market  On this market, one credit = one metric ton of carbon that has not been emitted thanks to a mitigation scheme. Each credit can be traded, bought, and sold.  Developed countries can BUY carbon credits to meet their obligations under the Kyoto Protocol.  Developing countries can undertake mitigation activities and SELL these credits as an additional way to earn income.

Thank you!