2.1.1.3. Greenhouse gas emissions issue
In Dak Lak province, GHG emissions are mainly in the following sectors: Agriculture, industry, transportation, minerals, and waste (Table 2.1).
Table 2.1: Main greenhouse gas emission sectors in Dak Lak province
Content
Greenhouse Gas Emitting Sector | |||||
Agriculture | Industrial | Transportation | Exploit Minerals | Waste | |
Activities causing GHG emissions primarily | - Wet rice cultivation - Abuse of chemical fertilizers - Burning by-products and straw - Livestock farming | - Agricultural and forestry processing - Steel production; materials construction materials; fertilizer; - Hydroelectricity and gas - Exploit Minerals | Engine fuel combustion from the source transportation | Burning engine materials of vehicles, machinery and equipment | - Solid waste landfill - Biological treatment of solid waste - Incineration and burning of waste; treatment and discharge wastewater |
Types of emissions primarily | N 2 O, N 2 O, CH 4 CO 2 | CO 2 , CH 4 , N 2 O, HFCs, PFCs | CO, N 2 O, VOCS | CO, N 2 O, CH 4 , HFCs | CO 2 , CH 4 , N 2 O |
Field size | - 592,785 ha (2019) area of cultivated land - 480 livestock farms | 1 Industrial Park, 8 CNN is live | 16,447 vehicles of all kinds | 75 mineral exploitation projects. | |
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Areas, Sectors and Subjects Vulnerable to Climate Change Impacts in Quang Ninh Province -
State management of compensation, support and resettlement when the State acquires land in Buon Ho town, Dak Lak province - 12 -
Assessment of surface water resources in Dong Nai river basin to serve sustainable development goals in the context of climate change - 2 -
Research on building coffee tourism products into one of the main brands of Dak Lak tourism - 2 -
Research on some technical measures for fertilizing Coffea canephora Pierre coffee trees in the business stage on basalt soil in Dak Lak - 25
Source: Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Dak Lak province
Currently, the province still faces difficulties in determining the level of GHG emissions because there has not been any specific research and measurement project on the amount of GHG emitted in the province over the years and specifically for each industry to have more appropriate and accurate adjustments.
2.1.1.4. Extreme phenomena
During the years 2016-2020, Dak Lak province recorded many extreme phenomena occurring in the province such as: floods, droughts, thunderstorms, tornadoes and landslides (Table 2.2). These natural disasters caused great damage to people and property, greatly affecting the socio-economic development of the province (Appendix 4).
Table 2.2. Current status of natural disasters in Dak Lak province from 2016-2020
Year
Natural disaster | |||||
Storm | Flood, inundation | Drought | Tornado, thunderstorm | Landslide | |
2016 | - | 03 batches | 02 batches | 28 cases | - |
2017 | 01 attack | 03 batches | - | 17 cases | 3 cases |
2018 | - | 02 batches | 02 batches | 14 cases | - |
2019 | - | 03 batches | 02 batches | 08 cases | - |
2020 (as of October) | - | 03 batches | 01 batch | 16 cases | - |
Total | 1 attack | 13 batches | 7 batches | 83 cases | 3 cases |
Source: Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Dak Lak province
2.1.1.5. Environmental incidents
During the period 2016 - 2020, forest fires in Dak Lak province tended to increase in both quantity and damaged forest area (Table 2.3). Stemming from human carelessness, the weather became more severe and the temperature increased due to climate change, making the fires more serious. According to statistics from the Dak Lak Provincial Forest Protection Department, in the past 5 years, the province has had many forest fires causing damage to 69.69 hectares of forest area.
Table 2.3. Area of forest burned in the period 2016 - 2020
Year
2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | |
Damaged forest area (ha) | 9.13 | 0 | 8.79 | 34.17 | 17.6 |
Source: Dak Lak Provincial Forest Protection Department
2.2.2. Causes of climate change in Dak Lak province
2.2.2.1. Pressure from population growth and urbanization
The population of Dak Lak province in 2015 was 1,820,149 people, by 2019 it reached 1,872,574 people, an increase of 52,425 people, the average annual population growth rate in the period 2015-2019 was 0.73% [11]. The increase in population will concentrate and increase the demand for resources such as water and energy, while also increasing the amount of waste generated beyond the natural environment's ability to decompose, polluting the air environment due to waste, exhaust gas, smoke and dust, ... this is a factor causing GHG emissions.
Population growth and urbanization also put pressure on natural resources and the land environment due to overexploitation of resources for housing needs, food production, industrial production, etc., causing forest areas to decline at a significant rate. According to statistical reports, in 2008, the total forest area was 628,977 hectares, with a coverage rate of 47.2%. By 2020, this number had decreased to 514,700 hectares, with the province's natural forest coverage rate remaining at just over 38% [47].
2.2.2.2. Pressure from industrial activities
Industrial production is strongly developed, the operation of too many means of transport has created a large amount of toxic waste into the environment (especially exhaust gas). In Dak Lak province, many different types of industries, even though these facilities have modern technology, all impact the environment, in different aspects and levels (surface water pollution, groundwater, air, dust, noise, traffic, ...) causing the surrounding areas to be affected. In addition, there are still production facilities located in residential areas, this is one of the sources of pollution that is difficult to control, easy to spread and directly affects people's health and the natural environment.
2.2.2.3. Pressure from construction activities
In the past, construction management in the province has been closely linked with environmental management. However, there are still activities such as transporting construction materials, constructing construction works without dust protection, handling construction waste, and domestic waste during construction, which are sources of impact affecting the air environment. The impacts of air pollution associated with this industry include dust, CO, SO 2 , NO x , H 2 S...
2.2.2.4. Pressure from energy activities
- Hydropower development activities:
Vietnam’s steady economic growth over the past two decades has led to an increasing demand for energy. Hydropower currently contributes about 35-40% of the country’s energy production. However, the rapid increase in the number of hydropower plants has given rise to environmental and social issues.
Hydropower requires a large amount of water from rivers and destroys river ecosystems. The operation of hydropower plants is accompanied by the problem of deforestation in the watershed. According to experts' calculations, on average, each hydropower project that is formed will have 125 hectares of forest cleared [11]. Deforestation causes higher temperatures and more severe climate change. Currently, according to statistics from the Department of Industry and Trade of Dak Lak province, 19 medium and small hydropower plants have been built in Dak Lak province (Appendix 5a).
- Solar power development activities:
Waste from production and solar panels after their life cycle, such as sulfuric acid and phosphine gas, if leaked to the outside, will cause unpredictable harm. To date, there is almost no method to reduce the problem of toxic waste from solar panels. Reusing these materials is extremely difficult and solar panels often have a very short life cycle. According to current statistics, there are 6 solar power plants in operation in Dak Lak province. In addition, Dak Lak province has submitted to the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Industry and Trade to supplement the power development plan for 23 solar power projects on land (Appendix 5b).
2.2.2.5. Pressure from Agriculture, Forestry and Fishery Activities
In the process of developing agriculture, forestry and fishery, the habit of using pesticides, chemical fertilizers and the situation of indiscriminately dumping used packaging is a huge pressure, causing pollution of the soil, water and air. In addition, the activities of craft villages and small-scale industrial establishments contribute to increasing environmental pollution because waste during operation is not treated. Due to low investment capital, establishments have not invested in technological innovation and environmental protection.
2.2.2.6. Pressure from medical activities
Medical waste can contain pathogenic microorganisms and heavy metals. The risk of air pollution is increased because most hazardous waste is burned in non-ideal conditions, causing a lot of black smoke. Burning medical waste in plastic bags along with certain pharmaceuticals can create acid gases and even dioxin, an extremely toxic chemical even at low concentrations. In addition, heavy metals such as mercury can also be released into the exhaust gas of the incinerator, posing a risk to the environment, the ecosystem and human health in the long term.
2.2.2.7. Pressure on tourism, service, business, trade and import-export activities
Tourism activities increase the amount of domestic waste such as solid waste, wastewater, increasing the risk of soil pollution, water pollution, besides increasing the risk of air pollution, noise due to increased means of transport and large crowds. Tourism activities also increase pressure on land funds due to the construction of hotels, service facilities, at the same time the construction process also creates a large amount of waste causing environmental pollution.
2.2.3. Impact of climate change in Dak Lak province
Climate change increases the volatility and intensity of extreme weather events, causing great impacts on socio-economic development and many serious damages to all sectors and fields, greatly affecting the province's sustainable development goals. According to statistics, the total value of damage caused by natural disasters in the past 5 years has been more than 3,700 billion VND.
2.2.3.1. Impact of climate change on agriculture
Agricultural production in the period 2016-2020 was affected and damaged by storms, floods, droughts, and tornadoes with 252,407 hectares of various crops, of which 24,539 hectares of crops were completely lost; Climate change also caused many difficulties for the livestock industry, causing many epidemics, reducing the number of livestock individuals, 31,806 livestock and poultry of all kinds died due to epidemics and were swept away; 173.7 hectares of aquaculture ponds were flooded and swept away.
Annual rainfall is distributed less in the dry season. Therefore, there is a sharp shortage of water in the dry season, causing the depletion of lakes and dams that store water for agricultural activities. In addition, floods and droughts have severely affected the quality and caused serious degradation of some irrigation works such as landslides and concrete collapses, reducing the ability to store water for the dry season.
2.2.3.2. Impact of climate change on forestry
The most serious impacts of climate change on forest ecosystems in Dak Lak province are the increase in frequency, intensity, volatility and extremity of dangerous weather phenomena such as storms and tornadoes causing damage to forest areas (in 2017, storm No. 12 caused damage to 10,295.09 hectares of forest, estimated damage to planted forests of 167,786 billion VND and property damage of 103 million VND) [11], higher temperatures, increased duration and intensity of drought will increase the risk of forest fires (Table 2.3), hot and dry weather, floods causing inundation or drought, cold damage, and pests and diseases reduce the biomass productivity of forest trees, leading to a reduction in the ability to absorb CO2 and other toxic gases (greenhouse gases).
2.2.3.3. Impact of climate change on transport and infrastructure
In the context of climate change, the quality, lifespan and service capacity of traffic routes and other infrastructure (information, communication, electricity) are significantly reduced. In 2016, about 20 km of various types of roads were damaged; about 8 km of irrigation works were eroded; in addition, 02 headquarters were damaged and 115 houses were flooded. In 2017, 38 km of roads (provincial, district, communal), many rural roads, 02 solid traffic bridges, 90 km of irrigation canals, 27 key irrigation works were severely damaged, 09 irrigation sluices and many dams, temporary dams and bridges were eroded. In 2019, 3 reservoirs were flooded, damaged and eroded; more than 63 km of canals were flooded and eroded; 1.5 km of dike was eroded (of which 15 m of dike was broken); 2.4 km of national highway, more than 56 km of local roads were eroded [11].
2.2.3.4. Impact of climate change on water resources
Climate change is one of the causes that directly affects the quality and quantity of water resources. High rainfall in the rainy season and steep terrain carry suspended solids, reducing water quality. Drought reduces water reserves, combined with the increased demand for water exploitation from groundwater sources, increasing the permeability of pollutants such as organic matter,
fertilizers, microorganisms. Therefore, the quality of groundwater is increasingly declining significantly.
2.2.3.5. Impact of climate change on land resources
Climate change has had a clear negative impact on soil quality. Prolonged drought in the dry season makes the structure of the surface soil layer susceptible to changes in the direction of infertileness, the risk of desertification due to heat and low humidity. Floods and rains mainly concentrate in September-December every year with heavy rainfall sometimes reaching nearly 400mm/month, creating concentrated surface flows that increase the risk of landslides. In 2017, there were 3 major landslides: landslide on the bank of the Krong No River in Ea Rbin Commune, Lak District; landslide on the bank of the Krong Bong River in Village 4, Hoa Phong Commune, Krong Bong District; landslide on Pass 185 in Ea Trang Commune, M'Drak District [11].
2.2.3.6. Impact of climate change on health and people
Climate change causes increased temperature and humidity, creating conditions for pathogens to easily develop and increase, such as malaria, dengue fever, plague, cholera, etc., which significantly impact vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, the sick, people with poor sanitation conditions, and people living in areas at risk of flooding. Floods cause fertilizers, pesticides, toilet waste, livestock barns, etc. to be washed into ponds, lakes, rivers, and streams, leading to the risk of outbreaks of gastrointestinal diseases and other diseases spread by water sources, including animal diseases, diseases with natural outbreaks, diseases from other places, etc., which increases the cost of disease prevention and treatment for people and the health sector. Climate change is also one of the causes of the emergence of a number of new infectious diseases (nCov, diphtheria, etc.), accelerating the mutation process of disease-causing viruses; causing serious impacts on people's health and socio-economic development.
According to the report of the Center for Disease Control, Dak Lak Provincial Department of Health, in Dak Lak province, the number of people suffering from diseases such as dengue fever, measles, hand, foot and mouth disease, malaria, diarrhea, and seasonal flu is very large (Table 2.4).
Table 2.4. Summary of the number of cases in Dak Lak province from 2016-2019
TT
Disease name | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | Total | |
1 | Dengue fever | 11,896 | 2.221 | 1.135 | 23,048 | 39,375 |
2 | Malaria | 32 | 371 | 717 | 523 | 1,755 |
3 | Seasonal flu | 21 | 14,642 | 13,761 | 13,121 | 50,321 |
4 | Diarrhea | 32 | 11,945 | 11,049 | 8,878 | 37,638 |
5 | Measles | 2 | 0 | 55 | 2,435 | 2,537 |
6 | Hand, foot and mouth disease | 362 | 1,892 | 1.122 | 1,277 | 5,792 |
Source: Dak Lak Provincial Center for Disease Control
2.2.3.7. Impact of climate change on biodiversity
Climate change with consequences such as floods, droughts, forest fires, erosion and landslides will promote faster and more severe degradation of diversity, especially in intact tropical forest ecosystems, increasing the risk of extinction of animals, plants and rare genetic resources. The construction of many irrigation ponds and lakes, irrigation works affects the migration of some aquatic species, some irrigation works completely eliminate migration routes, degrade and destroy natural habitats, invade alien species, compete with and destroy native species.
2.3. Current status of climate change response of local authorities in Dak Lak province
2.3.1. Work on developing and promulgating policies to respond to climate change
Dak Lak Provincial People's Committee regularly pays attention to and directs relevant units, departments and branches throughout the province to seriously implement policies and laws in response to climate change. Specifically, the Provincial People's Committee has implemented Decision No. 158/QD-TTg dated December 2, 2008 of the Prime Minister on promulgating the National Target Program to Respond to Climate Change; Decision No. 1183/QD-TTg dated August 30, 2012 of the Prime Minister on implementing the National Target Program to Respond to Climate Change for the 2010-2015 period; Official Dispatch No. 3815/BTNMT-KTTVBDKH dated October 13, 2009 of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment on the direction of developing an action plan to respond to climate change; Resolution No. 24-NQ/TW of the 11th Party Central Committee on proactively responding to climate change, strengthening resource management and environmental protection