(VOVworld) - The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has announced the National Action Program on Climate Change in the 2012-2020 period. Under Vietnam’s scenario on climate change and sea level rise, by the late 21^st century, the average temperature will increase 1.6 to 2.2 DC in most parts of the country and the sea level will rise by 57 to 73 cm a year. To cope with climate change and sea level rise, the Ministry has worked out several solutions including strengthening climate surveillance, natural disaster forecasting, ensuring food and water security, reducing green house gas emissions, developing a low-carbon economy and boosting international cooperation. Truong Duc Tri, Deputy Head of the Institute for Hydro Meteorology and Climate Change, says: “So far, Vietnam has done a lot of work. We have gradually developed a mechanism and laws on climate change and natural disaster control and prevention. A national strategy on climate change has also been worked out. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment will submit the government a proposal on solutions to cope with climate change and protect natural resources and the environment. So far, 45 out of 63 cities and provinces have devised action plans on climate change. The international community has praised Vietnam’s efforts to cope with climate change”.

At a press conference yesterday, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment stressed the need to strengthen communication to raise community awareness of climate change and sea level rise.