With active community participation, over 100 hectares of mangrove forests were planted and restored, with a high survival rate for newly planted trees, significantly increasing the carbon absorption rate of forest trees. For the first time, residents learned how to measure the carbon absorption levels of various tree species in mangrove forests. This laid a fundamental scientific foundation for the Department of Forestry to issue nationwide guidelines on measuring carbon in mangrove forests.
These are the critical outcomes shared at the project's closing ceremony, "Enhancing Climate Change Resilience of Coastal Communities in the Mekong Delta - Phase 1" (B4), recently held in Vinh Chau Town, Soc Trang Province.
The Federal Ministry for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation, and Technology of Austria (BMK) co-funded the project through Bread for the World and ActionAid International in Viet Nam (ActionAid). It was implemented by the Viet Nam Foundation for Social Welfare Program and Project Support (AFV) and the People's Committee of Vinh Chau Town, Soc Trang Province. The project aims to mitigate the negative impacts of climate change and improve the resilience and adaptability of coastal communities in Soc Trang.
After 2.5 years of implementation, from June 2022 to November 2024, 105 hectares of mangrove forests were planted and restored with a high survival rate of newly planted trees—reaching 95%; the carbon absorption rate of forest trees increased by 22.8%; 1,400 households gained legal and short-term (1-year) access to mangrove forests for conservation and livelihood development, resulting in a 40% increase in average income; and the number of forestry law violations decreased by 85.7%.
At the national level, the project collaborated with the Institute of Forest Ecology and Environment, Viet Nam National University of Forestry, to develop a method for measuring mangrove forest carbon. Based on the project's research, the Department of Forestry (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development) developed and issued technical guidelines for investigating and measuring mangrove forest carbon under Decision No. 316/QD-LN-SXLN dated October 29, 2024. This is the first specialized guideline to be issued and applied nationwide.