COP president Alok Sharma is visiting Vietnam for the last few days of August to drive forward the country’s climate commitments ahead of the 27th climate change conference (COP27) in Egypt this November.
Sharma will meet with senior ministers to discuss the Vietnam Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), a long term political agreement between the Vietnamese government and an International Partner Group (IPG) of countries, including the UK, European Union, France, Germany, Japan and the US.
This partnership has been created to accelerate the transition away from coal as part of each country’s commitment to its net zero target. A release said the partnership will be underpinned by “clear plans to deliver a just energy transition and catalyse clean energy investment”, which offer Vietnam “the opportunity to become a world leader in renewable energy”.
On his third visit to the country, Sharma will also urge Vietnam to bring forward a revised 2030 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), aligned with its 2050 net zero target.
He has also been invited to visit Can Tho in the Mekong River Delta – accompanied by researchers from Can Tho University and Dragon-Mekong Research Institute – to observe the impact of river bank erosion and sea level rise on vulnerable areas, and hear first-hand accounts from local communities benefiting from a project on urban resilience against flooding and climate change impact.
Sharma said about his visit: “Urgent action is needed to limit global temperature increase to 1.5 degrees and help build prosperous, low-carbon, resilient communities across the planet.”
“The proposed Just Energy Transition Partnership provides an excellent opportunity for Vietnam to accelerate its transition away from coal in delivery of its 2050 net-zero target. I am pleased to be back in Vietnam to engage with government ministers, public sector bodies, business leaders, local communities, and civil society to discuss ways we can work together for effective climate action.
“A clean, just energy transition not only delivers enhanced climate action, it will help create new jobs, economic growth, clean air and a resilient, prosperous future.”
After his visit to Vietnam, the COP president will travel to Indonesia to attend the G20 Climate and Environment Ministerial meeting in Bali.
