Decision No. 799/QD-TTg dated 27 June, 2012 of the Prime Minister on approval of the National Action Program on reduction of green-house gas emissions through efforts to reduce deforestation and forest degradation, sustainable management of forest resources, and conservation and enhancement of forest carbon stocks" 2011 - 2020

DECISION

ON APPROVAL OF THE NATIONAL ACTION PROGRAM ON REDUCTION OF GREEN-HOUSE GAS EMISSIONS THROUGH EFFORTS TO REDUCE DEFORESTATION AND FOREST DEGRADATION, SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF FOREST RESOURCES, AND CONSERVATION AND ENHANCEMENT OF FOREST CARBON STOCKS" 2011 - 2020

THE PRIME MINISTER

Pursuant to the Law on the Government Organization, 25 December;

Pursuant to the Land Law, 26 November, 2003;

Pursuant to the Law on Forest Protection and December 3, 2004;

Pursuant to the Law on Environmental Protection November 29, 2005;

In accordance with Decree No. 99/2010/ND-CP September 24, 2010 of the Government s policy on payment for environmental services of forests;

In accordance with Decision No. 02 dated 05 18/2007/QD-TTg 2007 of the Prime Minister approving the strategy on forestry development in Vietnam during the period 2006 to 2020;

In compliance with Decision No. 158/QD-TTg December 2, 2008 by the Prime Minister approving the National Target Program to respond to climate change;

Pertaining to Decision No. 2139/QD-TTg December 5, 2011 of the Prime Minister on approving the National Strategy on Climate Change;

Based on Decision No. 432/QD-TTg April 12, 2012 by the Prime Minister on approving the strategy for sustainable development of Vietnam in the period 2011-2020;

Considering the proposal of the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development,

DECIDES:

Article 1.Approving the National Action Program on "Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions through efforts to reduce deforestation and forest degradation, sustainable management of forest resources, conservation and enhancement of forest carbon stocks" (hereinafter referred to as the National REDD+ Action Program), 2011 - 2020, with the following major contents:

I. PERCEPTION, OBJECTIVES, SCOPE AND TARGET OF THE PROGRAM

1. Perception

a) Climate change is emerging as a serious challenge for all humanity, deeply influencing and comprehensively changing the life of the entire global society. Vietnam attaches vital implication to the response on climate change. The implementation of the National Action Program on "Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions through efforts to reduce deforestation and forest degradation, sustainable management of forest resources, conservation and enhancement of forest carbon stocks" (hereinafter referred to as the National REDD+ Action Program) is one of the important tasks defined in the National Strategy on Climate Change, reflecting the Vietnamese goodwill and utmost determination in sharing the effort and concern of global community to preserve the earth climate system.

b) The National REDD+ Action Program is designed in compliance with policies and laws of Vietnam, and consistent to the provisions of the United Nation Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and relevant treaties and international conventions Vietnam has joined;

c) Consistent Program guiding, management and operation by State agencies, improving the dynamism, creativity and accountability of related enterprises, optimizing the involvement and supervision of socio-political, professional, non-governmental organizations and communities, utilizing mechanisms for effective international cooperation in the development and implementation of the National REDD+ Action Program.

d) Solutions and measures applicable for implementing the National REDD+ Action Program should be systematic, coordinated, phased down and focused, and consistent to the specific conditions of the country, the provisions of the UNFCCC as well as the technical and financial support from the international community. These practical solutions and measures should be scientifically sound, fully utilizing traditional experience and indigenous knowledge, and taking into consideration the socio-economic effects and possible risks and uncertainties.

e) The implementation of the National REDD+ Action Program is to associate with the promotion of the green and less-emission agriculture, contribution to sustainable development, national food security and poverty reduction.

2. Overall Goal and Specific Objectives

a) Overall Goal

The overall goal of the Program is the reduction of greenhouse-gas emissions through efforts to mitigate deforestation and forest degradation, increased greenhouse-gas sequestration by forests, sustainable management of forest resources, biodiversity conservation, and contribution to the successful implementation the national strategy on climate change and poverty reduction, and striving towards sustainable development.

b) Specific objectives

- In the period 2011 - 2015: Development and operation of pilot mechanisms, policies, organizational systems and technical capacity available at the national level to ensure effective management, coordination and operation of REDD+ related projects taking into consideration the specific national conditions and the support of the international community; step by step raising awareness and capacity of relevant parties to participate proactively in REDD+ activities; the National REDD+ Network is formed and operates effectively, contributing to protection of existing forest, while upgrading the quality and value of forests and reducing emissions of greenhouse gases, and creating additional employments and incomes for people through the implementation of REDD+ pilot projects in 8 provinces, as at least.

- In the period 2016 - 2020: Accomplishment of mechanisms, policies, organizational structures and technical capacity to ensure the proper management, coordination and effective operation of projects and activities under the National REDD+ Action Program at the national scale; reducing greenhouse-gas emissions through reduction of deforestation and forest degradation, increased greenhouse-gas sequestration by forests, contributing to achieve the target of reducing 20% of the total emission in the agricultural sector by 2020, management and sustainable development of forest resources, increasing the national forest cover rate to 44-45%, conservation of biodiversity, and diversification and improvement of livelihoods of the forest owners and the people at large.

3. Scope and targets

a) Scope: All the forest possessing provinces in the country.

b) Targets: Organizations, households, individuals and communities involved in activities relating to forest management, protection and development.

II. KEY TASKS

1. The period 2011 - 2015

a) Capacity building and institutional development for REDD+ management - Conduct of communication campaigns and capacity building, and providing training to strengthen technical capacity and REDD+/climate change negotiation skills for the staffs who are involved in implementing REDD+.

- Establishment of the system of management, coordination and implementation of REDD+ and setting up the National REDD+ Network; development of coordination mechanisms to link ministries, sectors and localities in the implementation of the Program as well as incorporate it into implementation of relevant national strategies and programs.

- Improvement of the legal system and technical guidance for implementing REDD+ activities.

- Establishment and pilot implementation of mechanisms to monitor and handle complaints and provide feedbacks during the Program implementation.

b) Conducting survey to compile necessary data and define the baseline emission level and project the level in the coming years as the basis for monitoring and evaluating the outcomes of REDD+ implementation, and for the negotiation with international donors.

- Review, collection, evaluation and processing of data necessary for identification of the reference emission levels and the trends of ante- and ex-implementation of REDD+ (RELs/FRLs) at national and provincial levels (if necessary) in compliance with UNFCCC provisions and the technical guidance of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The reference emission levels (RELs) are the amount of gross emissions emitted into emitted into the atmosphere from deforestation and forest degradation at a reference time period, or the baseline reflecting the change of emission levels at different time periods in the past and predicting the future trends of emission. The forest reference levels (FRLs) are the amount of net/gross emissions from deforestation and forest degradation and the forest sequestration of greenhouse gases as the results of forest conservation, forest management before and during implementation of REDD+ activities.

- Assessment and prediction of the present and future forest estate change, proposing measures to mitigate and eventually stop deforestation and forest degradation, and increasing forest carbon stocks.

- Investigation, evaluation and verification of the potential reduction of emission, projection of the investment needs and benefits of REDD+ for each province and for the entire country, and defining priority areas for implementation of REDD+.

- Setting up the temporary RELs/FRLs at the national level and in the pilot provinces taking consideration to the specific conditions of Vietnam, the provisions of the UNFCCC and the financial and technical support provided by the international community.

c) Establishment and operation of the system of measurement, reporting and verification (MRV).

- Prompt completion of the project on the national forest inventory over the period 2012 - 2015, especially in the pilot provinces, as the basis for planning, monitoring and evaluation of REDD+ outcomes.

- Completion of the annual forest change monitoring and reporting, forest inventory every 5 years, in close coordination with the inventory of land resources conducted by MONRE, ensuring the effectiveness and the consistency of data in compliance with the Law on Forest Protection and Development, and the Land Law.

- Development and pilot application of the MRV system at the national level in conformity with the specific conditions of Vietnam and the provisions of the UNFCCC.

- Establishment of the mechanism for monitoring, reporting and verification of REDD+ and REDD+ database from central down to local level.

- Collaboration with international organizations to verify the REDD+ results at the national level in accordance with the provisions of UNFCCC; organizing the verification of REDD+ performance at local level in accordance with applicable legal regulations.

d) Formulation of the financial management mechanism applicable for National REDD+ Action Program

- Establishment and management of the REDD+ Fund, including:

+ REDD+ Fund development as a trust fund under the Forest Protection and Development Fund at the central and provincial levels which was established with Decree No. 05/2008/ND-CP dated 14 January, 2008 of the Government to receipt and manage grants and trusted funds provided by overseas countries, organizations or individuals for REDD+ and undertake the payment for REDD+ service.

+ REDD+ Fund has its structure and operation rules as a trust fund in compliance with the provisions of Vietnamese laws and international rules.

+ Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development shall liable to coordinate with the Ministry of Finance, other relevant ministries and agencies to formulate and stipulate regulations on organization and operation of REDD+ Fund in accordance with the laws of Vietnam and the international rules.

+ Ministry of Finance shall be liable to coordinate with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and relevant ministries and agencies to develop and promulgate mechanisms for financial management of the REDD+ Fund in consistency with the law of Vietnam and the International rules.

- Organization of REDD+ implementation, including:

+ Promotion the REDD+ payments system from central to local levels.

+ Identification of the targets, payment rate and method of payments for REDD+ service.

- Examination, monitoring and evaluation of the payment for REDD+ performance.

e) Implementation of REDD+ pilot projects

- Selection of 8 provinces, at least, with high potential on emission reduction representing typical ecological zones to participate in REDD+ pilot projects in conformity with the specific conditions of Vietnam and requirements from the international aid.

- Development of the action plan to implement REDD+ at provincial level and mainstreaming REDD+ into forest protection and development and land-use planning as well as programs and projects that aim at reduction of emissions in agriculture and other related fields, and piloting the system for management, coordination and operation of REDD+ at the provincial level.

- Raising REDD+ awareness and building up technical capacity for concerned staff involved in REDD+ at provincial, district and commune levels and raising awareness of forest owners and local communities.

- Identification and application of appropriate measures to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation and stabilizing forest carbon stocks, investigation of the possible role and capability of enterprises, organizations, individuals and local communities in REDD+ implementation.

- Proposing and piloting the measurement, reporting and verification system, the participatory inventory, monitoring and evaluation of forest change, financial management and payment mechanism applicable for REDD+ performance, REDD+ safeguard measures as well as the establishment of the database and information system required for REDD+ implementation.

e) Promotion of cooperation and sharing experience with the countries in the region on the implementation of REDD+, strengthening forest law enforcement, governance and trading (FLEGT).

g) Review and drawing of the experience from REDD+ implementation in the pilot provinces and newly introduced international practices for revising and improving the Program that will be expanded at the nation-wide scale in the next phase.

The List of project prepared for the period 2011 - 2015 is specified in the Appendix to this Decision. This List shall be supplemented and amended when new international resources are available and in accordance with national requirements in each time period.

2. The period 2016 - 2020

a) Continued improvement of coordination mechanisms, management and operation of the Program and its implementation at the national scale and in consistency with the international rules and international support.

b) Further performing the legal framework for implementation of REDD+ on the basis of practical requirements as well as the provisions of the law of Vietnam and the international practices.

c) Further raising awareness and upgrading capacity of staffs at all levels as well as local people and organizations involved to implement REDD+.

d) Revising and improving RELs/FRLs at national and local levels in pilot provinces with the updated method and related data or the new rules of the UNFCCC.

e) Improving the system of information for REDD+, including the MRV, information system on safeguard measures, information on policies and technical solutions at the central and local levels adaptable to the specific conditions of the country as well as the international rules and support.

g) Accomplishing the financial management mechanism and the payment policy based on REDD+ performance.

h) Improving the monitoring and complaint handling mechanism and feedbacks during the Program implementation.

f) Further promoting cooperation and sharing experience with countries in the region on the implementation of REDD+ and strengthening forest law enforcement, governance and trade (FLEGT).

III. SOLUTIONS

A. Improving the legal framework to facilitate REDD+ implementation

a) Reviewing, amending and supplementing the existing legal framework and formulating new legal documents on land, forest protection and development, forest carbon rights, investment in carbon credit business, financial management, benefit sharing and safeguard measures for

REDD+ implementation as well as other relevant legal documents in accordance with the applicable laws of Vietnam and international agreements Vietnam has signed.

b) Development of the system of national standards for forest certification and the rules and standards for silvicultural interventions, sustainable forest management, timber and NTFP harvest.

2. Institutional improvement and human resource development

a) Preparing plan on training and building up REDD+ capacity for staff at all levels, with special attention to commune and village levels in remote areas.

b) Developing mechanism to facilitate the coordination among state administrative agencies at all levels which are involved in REDD+, especially between agriculture and rural development and natural resource and environment departments in the development and implementation of REDD+.

c) Setting up mechanisms to facilitate close link with the private sector and public – private cooperation model, and encouraging the engagement of the social-political, professional, non- governmental organizations and local communities in the Program planning, implementation and monitoring.

d) Integration of REDD+ implementation into the National Program on Climate Change, the Green Growth Strategy, the Forest Protection and Development Plan 2011 - 2020, the wise agricultural initiatives toward response on climate change, the policies on payment for forest environmental services (PFES), agriculture-forestry extension service and poverty reduction as well as other relevant programs and projects to enhance its effectiveness and sustainability.

e) Developing a system for logging practice monitoring and identifying and tracing timber to ensure timber legality in logging, transportation, processing and export.

3. Reviewing and improving land-use planning and forest protection and development plan.

Identification of forest lands which shall be put under the National REDD+ Action Program and projects, review and adjustment of the land-use and forest protection and development projection, and planning at national and the local scales with sound scientific and economic rationale, ensuring REDD+ feasibility and reducing leakage down to the minimum level.

4. Reviewing and completing the allocation and leasing of forests and forest land to organizations, households, individuals and local communities in compliance with the existing laws to ensure the legal framework for concluding joint contracts and payment for REDD+ performance.

5. Conducting forest inventory and monitoring yearly and every 5 years to perform the forest information system.

6. Strengthening communication campaigns, raising awareness, mobilizing the participation of local people, local communities and organizations in the planning, implementation and monitoring of REDD+.

7. Enhancing international cooperation to diversify financial resources

a) Proactive participation in international programs and initiatives toward REDD+, and climate change in agriculture and rural areas to utilize potential financial and technical support for promotion and implementation of National REDD+ Action Program and projects.

b) Strengthening integration, multilateral and bilateral cooperation and cooperation with non-governmental organizations as well as the regional and global financial institutions to attract financial and technical support; enhanced sharing of information and experience on REDD+ implementation, especially with the members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

c) Strengthening the management and coordination mechanisms in utilizing domestic resources and international aids in the implementation of related programs and projects.

d) Further implementation of the environment and forestry-related agreements and conventions Vietnam has signed or acceded to.

IV. PROGRAM FUNDING

1. Funds for implementing projects under the National REDD+ Action Program will be derived from the state budget available for the implementation of the National Program on Climate Change and the Forest Protection and Development Plan 2011 – 2020, and from other relevant programs and projects as well as the potential supports from donor governments, international organizations, non-governmental organizations, foreign individuals and local organizations and individual. Of these possible resources, international funding is expected to play the leading role.

The funding proposed for specific projects will be identified on the basis of specific agreements with donors and potential contribution of the state budget subject to the approval of competent authorities.

2. The formulation and submission of projects to competent authorities for approval as well as the management, use of funds allocated to these projects is devolved in view of further decentralization and strengthening the accountability of local authorities.

V. IMPLEMENTATION ORGANIZATION

1. Establishment of the National REDD+ Action Program Steering Committee

a) The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development is assigned to set up the Vietnam REDD+ Steering Committee (hereinafter referred to as the Steering Committee) with the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development as the Chairman, Deputy Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment as Vice Chairman, and members of the Steering Committee are representatives of leaders of relevant departments under Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Ministry of Planning and Investment, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Science and Technology, the Committee of Ethnic Minorities and the Government Office.

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development assumes to stipulate the operation regulations of the Steering Committee.

b) REDD+ Office of Vietnam will act as the assisting body for the Steering Committee which will be established and operated by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development within his jurisdiction.

c) The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is authorized by the Prime Minister to seek agreement with donors and establish, whenever needed, consulting units to support and supervise the implementation of the Program provided that this setting is simplified, operational, efficient and consistent to the law of Vietnam and related international agreements and conventions.

2. Responsibility of related ministries and sectors

a) Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD)

- MARD shall be liable to act as the REDD+ leading agency.

- MARD assumes to lead the formulation of mechanisms and policies to be issued by the Prime Minister or the Minister of MARD, if within his jurisdiction, applicable for managing, operating and guiding the implementation of the Program.

- Formulating, approving and organizing the preparation of annual and 5 year national plans or Program implementation.

- Leading the negotiations with international partners on REDD+, presiding over and coordinating with relevant ministries, departments and local authorities to mobilize international fund for Program implementation.

- Taking lead and coordinating with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to define the reference time and data, and calculate the RELs/FRLs as a basis for negotiation and evaluation of REDD+ performance; leading the establishment and operation of the system of measurement, reporting and verification (MRV).

- Establishing Vietnam REDD+ Fund and preparing regulations on organization and operation of the Fund in accordance with the law of Vietnam and international practices.

- Being authorized by the Government to proceed with negotiation and conclude financial support agreements with international donors which are committed to provide contributions to Vietnam REDD+ Fund as prescribed by law.

- In collaboration with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and other ministries concerned, every year MARD has to review and synthesize funding needs and the list of REDD+ projects for integration into the implementation of the National Program on Climate Change and other related programs and projects.

- Examining, monitoring and periodically evaluating and drawing experience from the Program implementation.

- Annually synthesizing the results of Program implementation and report to the Prime Minister, and proposing count-measures to handle arisen problems that are beyond its mandate.

b) Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment

- Taking lead and coordinating with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to integrate data on the progress and results of REDD+ implementation into the National Announcements and updated reports (every 2 years) and submit to UNFCCC Secretariat.

- Leading the land-use planning and land management, including the forest land, and integrating REDD+ into land-use planning practice at all levels.

- Leading and coordinating with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to direct and guide provincial people committees to review and accomplish the land allocation in association with forest leasing and issuing land-use right certificates; issuing, within its jurisdiction, or submitting to competent authorities for the issuance of mechanisms and policies on forest land allocation or leasing relevant to the implementation of the Program; providing data available from the national inventory of greenhouse gas emissions in Vietnam.

- Coordinating with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to develop the system of MRV, RELs/FRLs, and evaluating the results of the emission reduction by the Program.

c) Ministry of Planning and Investment

- Balancing and allocating counterpart funds for specific projects to implement the Program.

- Mainstreaming REDD+ into the course of implementing relevant national programs.

- Coordinating with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Ministry of Finance to formulate mechanisms and policies for managing and implementing the Program.

d) Ministry of Finance

- Leading and coordinating with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to develop mechanisms and policies related to the Program financial management.

- Leading and coordinating with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in guiding the management and use of financial resources available from REDD+ Fund at various levels.

- Supervising relevant parties to follow strictly the financial management rules applicable for the Program.

e) Ministry of Information and Communication

Guiding and driving press agencies in conducting communication campaigns to raise awareness and responsibility of related agencies, organizations and people in forest protection and development and implementation of the National REDD+ Action Program.

e) Committee of Ethnic Minorities

Participating in communication and promotion campaigns, awareness raising and capacity building, encouraging ethnic minorities to take active part in REDD+ operations, mainstreaming the implementation of the National REDD+ Action Program and relevant programs and projects within its state administrative mandate.

g) Other ministries and relevant sectors

In accordance with the functions and tasks defined within their state administrative mandate, other ministries and sectors shall proactively coordinate with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in implementing the Program, and guide various units that fall within their state administrative mandate to implement the Program.

h) Responsibility of provincial people committees and cities under the direct control of the central Government

- Organizing REDD+ communication campaigns and promotion of REDD+ activities in their localities.

- Establishing of REDD+ Steering Committee at provincial level to be chaired by the leaders of provincial people s committees.

- Developing and implementing provincial REDD+ action plans; preparing and implementing projects relevant to the Program at provincial level; reviewing and adjusting related local plannings and plans.

- Organizing the implementation relevant activities that are included in national annual and 5

year plans approved by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development for approval.

- Actively mobilizing every possible resource and mainstreaming REDD+ and the payment for forest environmental services and related programs and projects in the local areas to achieve the objectives of the Program.

- Coordinating with relevant ministries and agencies to guide and supervise organizations and individuals in implementing the Program in the local area as specified in this decision.

- Providing regular reports on the progress of achieving Program objectives and task performing in provinces or cities as specified in this Decision.

i) Political, social and professional organizations, NGOs and enterprises

Subject to their functions, tasks and capabilities, political, social and professional organizations, mass organizations, non-governmental organizations and business entities are requested to participate in activities relating to the Program, particularly in the field of information sharing, education and communication promotion, supporting and mobilizing the involvement of local communities, distributing experience in implementing REDD+, examining and monitoring the Program implementation.

VI. MONITORING AND EVALUATION.

1. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development will take lead and coordinate with line ministries and agencies to monitor and evaluate the Program performance at various stages.

2. Contents of monitoring and evaluation

a) Monitoring and evaluating the performance of activities which will be conducted in pilot provinces, including the amount of emission reduction and the added forest carbon stocks, and the results of carbon sequestration.

b) Monitoring and evaluating the implementation of land-use planning; reviewing, adjusting and completing the process of allocating land and forests, realizing the rules of grass-root democracy; supervising the application of measures to ensure the implementability of the Program.

c) Disbursement of funding and financial transactions relating to Program implementation.

3. The scope of monitoring and evaluation: central and provincial levels.

4. Mechanisms applicable for monitoring and evaluation: Monitoring and evaluation shall be transparent, open and participatory, with the involvement of all concerned parties, including relevant State agencies and international organizations involved (if necessary).

Article 2.This Decision comes into effect since the date of its signing.

Article 3.The ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, heads of governmental agencies, chairmen of people committees of provinces and cities directly controlled by the Central Government shall be liable implement this Decision.

ANNEX

LIST OF ACTIVITIES AND PROJECTS PROPOSED FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NATIONAL REDD+ ACTION PROGRAM, 2011 – 2020
(Issued with Decision No.799/QĐ-TTg dated 27 June, 2012 by the Prime Minister)