Coastal erosion in Viet Nam: the EU and France facilitate research and discussion on causes and protection measures in the perspective of climate change
A Seminar, discussing on results of three scientific studies on coastal erosion issues in three provinces: Ca Mau and Tien Giang in the Mekong Delta and Quang Nam in the coastal central region, took place today in Hoi An District. The studies have been conducted under the support by the European Union (EU) and France through the Agence Francaise de Developpement to Viet Nam in implementing its commitments at COP.
The studies examine the causes of coastal erosion heavily damaging the region and inhabitants livelyhood, aiming to:
- Understand the mechanism responsible for the erosion process in these two zones;
- Establishing a solid scientific basis for integrated managements of the Vietnamese coastal zones;
- Propose soft and hard measures for sustainably protecting these coastal zones from erosion.
For this, two large-scale campaigns of in-situ measurements (hydrodynamics of waves, tidal and sedimentary currents) have been carried out for the first time in Viet Nam, and experimental (laboratory and in situ) and numerical methods have been implemented.
The soft and hard measures for protecting the Hoi-An Beach and Lower Mekong Delta coastal region resulting from 9 months research will be presented and discussed during the seminar.
Attending the seminar were researchers from national scienctific institutions, scholars in the area of coastal engineering, governmental and local administrations as well as the representatives from international orgnisations and developments partners.
Speaking at the seminar, Ambassador – Head of EU Delegation Bruno Angelet said: "The study is a response to EU commitments made in Paris during the COP 21 to support Viet Nam in adaptation to climate change. While erosion is mainly a man-made disaster, its impacts will be multiplied with the sea level rise. Based on the study results, an investment programme will be designed including hard and soft adaptation measures that could include dyke building, mangrove rehabilitation and capacity building for enhanced sustainable development and environmental management".
French Ambassador Bertrand Lortholary added “Adopted on 12 December 2015, the so called Paris Agreement has entered into force on 4 November 2016, thirty days after the date on which the threshold of 55 countries representing over 55 % of GHG emissions was achieved. Combatting global warming and helping our partner countries to adapt to climate change is at the heart of French development and cooperation's strategies over the world, especially in Vietnam. Together with the support from European Union, our development finance will improve Vietnam’s resilience to climate change, sustainable management of flood risk, coastal protection from erosion or recovery of coastal mangrove and more.”
The investment that will be designed based on the study recommendation, will be funded by a loan amounting up to Euro 87 million from AFD, Agence Française de Développement, and possibly mixed with another grant from the European Union.
The studies were Implemented by the Southern Institute for Water Resources Research in cooperation and the Central Region College of Technology, Economics and Water Resources, in cooperation with the Agence Française de Développement (AFD).
Viet Nam is one of the countries severely affected by climate change and its related disasters. The Mekong Delta is one of the deltas in the world most susceptible and vulnerable to sea level rise. Consistent to its international commitments regarding Climate Change and Sustainable Development Goals, the European Union is actively helping Viet Nam on mitigation through energy sector reform, and adaptation through funding studies on climate change impact and appropriate adaptation measures.
Media Contact: Ms Vien Ngoc Bich, EU Delegation, tel: 04 3 9461783 or email: bich.vien@eeas.europa.eu