Report on Viet Nam biodiversity outlook: analyzing impacts from economic sectors to address biodiversity degradation.

Posted on 29 October 2021

Agriculture, forestry, and aquaculture are among the biggest causes of biodiversity loss in Viet Nam, according to a new study “Assessing Biodiversity in Viet Nam” released by the World Wide Fund for Nature in Viet Nam (WWF-Viet Nam) and the Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Agency (BCA).

Hanoi – October 29, 2021 - Viet Nam is one of the world's 16 most biologically diverse countries, with over 50,000 species, including 20,000 plants, 10,500 terrestrial animals, 2,000 invertebrates and freshwater fish, and over 11,000 marine species. However, like many other countries, Viet Nam is experiencing increasing biodiversity degradation. Despite efforts to address biodiversity loss through policies, national strategies and various projects, it remains a major challenge that requiresthe whole-of-society efforts, including the ones of the public sector, civil society organizations, and notably, the economic sector.

The study shows that 21% of mammals, 6.5% of birds, 19% of reptiles, 24% of amphibians, 38% of fish, and 2.5% of plants are listed as threatened species. Over the past 20 years, forest areas have been the most affected with more than 10,544 square kilometers lost to agriculture. Around 2.8 million hectares of natural forest have also been lost due to land conversion for other commercial crops.

There are numerous causes, direct and indirect, for biodiversity loss in Viet Nam, such as overexploitation of natural resources, illegal logging, illegal wildlife trade, infrastructure development, intensive farming expansion, along with other economic production activities catering for ever-growing human needs.

“Assessing the Biodiversity in Viet Nam – Analysis of Impacts from Economic Sectors” is the first in a series ofscientific studies under the framework of the BIODEV2030 Initiative in Viet Nam. The study analyzes the causes of biodiversity loss in Viet Nam and identifies the economic sectors greatly impacting biodiversity. The study will serve as a foundation for further research to establish a more comprehensive picture of the extents, scopes and trends of these impacts. From which, recommendations for voluntary transition commitment models that are nature-positive and beneficial for humans in the future will be put forward.

“The longstanding approach to biodiversity conservation focuses on addressing direct causes, such as strengthening law enforcement or expanding managed and protected areas,” said Mr. Vuong Quoc Chien, Program Manager of BIODEV2030, WWF-Viet Nam. “However, this approach has failed to thoroughly solve this problem due to the complex nature of biodiversity, and its ties to various areas, including economic, social and human health. Therefore, addressing root causes through integrating biodiversity into every area of the production and manufacturing sector is regarded as an inevitable shift in direction. In particular, manufacturing businesses are considered important to this shift. The capacity, awareness and pro-active approaches from businesses when joining voluntary commitment models towards sustainable production are key to restoring biodiversity.”

“Mainstreaming biodiversity conservation into economic sectors is one of the most important tasks under the national strategy on biodiversity conservation,” said Ms. Hoang Thi Thanh Nhan, Deputy Director of the Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Agency. “Assessing The Biodiversity in Viet Nam – Analysis of impacts from economic sectors,” as well as subsequent studies of the BIODEV2030 Initiative, is an independent study providing useful information for policymakers to gain an overview of the economy’s impacts on biodiversity, thereby contributing to the formulation of policies to encourage and develop sustainable, environment friendly production models, to strengthen the implementation of policies on green economy, circular economy development, and to minimize negative impacts on biodiversity.

The study’s findings were presented at a conference organized by WWF-Viet Nam and the BCA. The conference was attended by scientists, government agencies, conservation and development organizations, and related research bodies, who provided input on further studies under the BIODEV2030 initiative.

Deforestation for coffee plantations in Viet Nam's Central Highlands by migrants

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ASSESSING THE BIODIVERSITY IN VIET NAM

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