Regulations on functions, tasks, powers and organizational structure of the Department of Climate Change

On October 25, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Tran Hong Ha signed and issued Decision No. 2828/QD-BTNMT regulating the functions, tasks, powers and organizational structure of the Department of Climate Change.

1. Location and function

Accordingly, the Department of Climate Change is an organization under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, with the function of advising and assisting the Minister in state management of climate change and ozone layer protection; performing public services on climate change and ozone layer protection in accordance with the law.

The Department of Climate Change has legal status, its own seal and account in accordance with the law, and is headquartered in Hanoi City.

2. Duties and powers

According to the Decision, the Department of Climate Change has the following duties and powers:

1. Develop and submit to the Minister mechanisms, policies, legal documents, strategies, planning, plans, programs, projects, tasks, standards, technical regulations, economic-technical norms, regulations, and processes on climate change, ozone layer protection, and green growth associated with climate change; guide, inspect, and organize implementation after approval.

2. Regarding climate change adaptation: a) Monitor and supervise the assessment of impacts, vulnerabilities, risks, losses and damages caused by climate change; climate change adaptation activities, disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation models, and responses to rising sea levels as assigned by the Minister; b) Develop and organize the implementation of a monitoring and evaluation (M&E) system for climate change adaptation activities at the national level; c) Organize the implementation of contents related to losses and damages within the framework of the Paris Agreement on climate change, activities participating in the Global Alliance for Adaptation Action (AAC); d) Develop, organize the implementation, monitor and evaluate the implementation of the National Climate Change Adaptation Plan; e) Develop criteria for determining investment projects and tasks for climate change adaptation.

3. Regarding greenhouse gas emission mitigation: a) Organize monitoring and promotion of activities to reduce emissions and enhance greenhouse gas absorption; b) Organize implementation of greenhouse gas inventory activities according to regulations; c) Develop and implement a measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV) system for emission mitigation and enhanced greenhouse gas absorption; d) Organize the development and updating of a list of sectors and facilities emitting greenhouse gases that must conduct greenhouse gas inventories; e) Organize the management and allocation of greenhouse gas emission quotas according to regulations; e) Develop carbon pricing mechanisms and policies; organize the operation of the domestic carbon market and connect with the world carbon market; g) Develop and implement a carbon credit exchange and offset mechanism; issue certificates confirming projects according to mechanisms within the framework of the Paris Agreement on climate change; h) Organize the certification of greenhouse gas emission quotas and carbon credits traded on the carbon market; i) Monitor and inspect the exchange of greenhouse gas emission quotas and carbon credits in accordance with the provisions of law and international treaties to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a member.

4. Regarding ozone layer protection: a) Guide, monitor and promote ozone layer protection activities in accordance with international treaties to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a member; b) Organize the development and updating of the list and instructions for the use of ozone-depleting substances and controlled greenhouse gases in accordance with the roadmap for implementing international treaties on ozone layer protection to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a member; c) Monitor and inspect the implementation of regulations on management, elimination, collection, recycling, reuse and treatment of substances and products, equipment containing or produced from ozone-depleting substances and controlled greenhouse gases; d) Propose the allocation, adjustment and supplementation of production and import quotas for ozone-depleting substances and controlled greenhouse gases; d) Develop and implement a system for registering the use, collection, reuse, recycling, and treatment of substances, products, and equipment containing or produced from ozone-depleting substances and controlled greenhouse gases.

5. Regarding climate change information and data: a) Organize the development, update and guidance on the use of the national database on climate change; b) Organize investigations, surveys and collection of information and data on greenhouse gas emissions, mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions, ozone-depleting substances, greenhouse effect substances and adaptation to climate change; c) Organize the development, update and submit to the Minister for promulgation of climate change scenarios; develop national reports on climate change and ozone layer protection in accordance with the provisions of law and international treaties to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a member; d) Develop documents guiding ministries, branches and localities to prepare reports on climate change response in accordance with the provisions of law.

6. Guidance on integrating climate change response content into strategies and planning according to the provisions of law.

7. Advise on institutionalizing international mechanisms, regulations and initiatives on climate change and ozone layer protection in accordance with the socio-economic development situation.

8. Organize the development, updating, monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

9. Take charge of implementing the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, the Kyoto Protocol, the Vienna Convention on the Protection of the Ozone Layer, the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer and other relevant international treaties as assigned by the Minister.

10. Organize the implementation of negotiations, accession, and implementation of international treaties and agreements, and participation in international organizations on climate change and ozone layer protection; organize the coordination and implementation of programs, plans, projects, and international cooperation tasks on climate change and ozone layer protection as assigned by the Minister.

11. Being the focal point for implementing international commitments on climate change and ozone layer protection in accordance with the provisions of international treaties to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a member. The national focal point for implementing the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Kyoto Protocol, the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer, the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the Adaptation Fund; the national competent authority for mechanisms within the framework of the Paris Agreement.

12. Carry out the tasks of the Office of the National Committee on Climate Change; the Standing Office of the Vietnam Sub-Committee in the Vietnam-Netherlands Intergovernmental Committee on Climate Change Adaptation and Water Management; the Standing Working Group assisting the National Steering Committee in implementing Vietnam's commitments at the 26th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change; the Standing Steering Committee for the Implementation of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement; the Standing Joint Committee for the Implementation of the Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM); the National Specialized Agency of the Climate Technology Network and Center (CTCN); the Standing Working Group for Negotiations of Vietnam on Climate Change; the Focal Point of the ASEAN Working Group on Climate Change.

13. Act as a contact point and coordinate with associations and non-governmental organizations in the fields of climate change and ozone layer protection.

14. Organize and implement scientific and technological activities; coordinate training and knowledge development on climate change and ozone layer protection.

15. Preside over and coordinate inspections, examinations, settlement of complaints and denunciations, and handling of violations of the law on climate change and ozone layer protection in accordance with the provisions of law; respond to organizations and individuals on policies and laws on climate change and ozone layer protection as assigned by the Minister.

16. Organize the implementation of administrative reform according to the Ministry's administrative reform program and plan and the Minister's assignment.

17. Organize propaganda, dissemination and education of policies and laws on climate change, ozone layer protection and green growth as assigned by the Minister.

18. Manage the organization, staffing, job positions, civil servants, public employees, and workers of the Department according to the decentralization of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and according to the provisions of law.

19. Manage finance and assets assigned by the State; manage public service activities under the management of the Department according to the provisions of law; perform the responsibilities of a level II budget unit for units under the Department according to the provisions of law.

20. Regular and ad hoc statistics and reports on the implementation of assigned tasks.

21. Perform other tasks and powers assigned by the Minister.