REDD countries

While the term REDD is not mentioned specifically, Vietnam has a number of plans and policies that support efforts to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation. The key policy instrument to combat climate change that underpins REDD policy development in Vietnam is the National Target Plan to Respond to Climate Change. This plan commits the Vietnamese government to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and also sets a target to increase forest cover from 44% to 47% by 2020. Aligned, but separate to this plan is the Viet Nam Forestry Development Strategy, which lays out a strategy for 2006 – 2020. The strategy pays particular attention to rights, tenure and enforcement issues and sets an objective for calculating and monitoring forestry and land inventories in Vietnam. Another significant plan is The Action Plan Framework for Adaptation to Climate Change in the Agriculture and Rural Development Sector, which sets out a number of goals for the period 2008-2020 including an increase in the capacity of Vietnam to mitigate and adapt to climate change threats. Supporting and reinforcing the National Plans, Vietnam also has more specific policies that support REDD activities in the country. One of the most significant policies, implemented in 1998, is the Five Million Hectare Reforestation Program (Decision 661). Decision 661 was implemented to rapidly increase forest cover in Vietnam by establishing five million hectares of new forest. It is also the first example of a payments for environmental services scheme in Vietnam and thereby supports designs of a benefit distribution system for REDD activities in Vietnam.