Opportunities from carbon credits when forests are protected and regenerated sustainably.

LAO CAI: To commercialize carbon credits, slash-and-burn farming and intensive logging must be eliminated. People need to strengthen forest regeneration and patrol to protect the forests.

Great potential

With its vast forest area and one of the highest forest cover rates in the country, Lao Cai is poised for a significant opportunity to participate in the promising carbon credit market. Beyond being a green lung protecting the environment, these forests are expected to become a sustainable source of income, providing new livelihoods for ethnic minorities in the highlands and making a substantial contribution to the local budget.

Lao Cai province currently has a forest cover rate of 61.5%. Photo: Thanh Tien.

Lao Cai has long been known as a locality with one of the most diverse forest ecosystems in the Northwest region. According to statistics, the province's forest cover currently reaches 61.5%, with nearly 866,000 hectares; of which, natural forests account for 473,000 hectares. This is considered a huge carbon reserve that nature has bestowed upon this borderland.

Lao Cai's competitive advantage lies not only in its area but also in the quality of its ecosystem. Stretching from lowlands to high mountain peaks such as the Hoang Lien - Fansipan region, Lao Cai's forests have the ability to absorb and store carbon stably, creating valuable credits in the international market.

Furthermore, local forest conservation efforts have been consistently maintained over the years, resulting in a low rate of deforestation. This is a key factor in meeting stringent global standards such as REDD+, ART-TREES, and VCS. Once the national legal framework is complete, both natural forests and planted production forests owned by local people can become commodities, attracting international investment.

We need to abandon the habit of exploiting resources to the fullest extent.

To commercialize carbon credits, the role of the people, especially ethnic minorities living under the forest canopy, is extremely important. The story of forest conservation is now not only a responsibility but also a vital economic interest.

According to Mr. Vu Minh Phuc, Deputy Head of the Forest Protection Department of Lao Cai province, when participating in this market, people do not need to completely change their traditional farming practices, but they must strictly adhere to the principles of sustainable forest management. Old habits such as slash-and-burn agriculture and overexploitation will have to be eliminated. Instead, there will be increased efforts in regeneration and coordinated patrols for protection.

Local people need to cooperate with relevant authorities to effectively protect the forests. Photo: Thanh Tien.

In return, the people will be the biggest beneficiaries. When carbon projects are assessed and credits are sold, people will receive direct payments based on emission reduction results. This payment level promises to be significantly higher than the current forest environmental service fees. In addition, people will receive support in training, equipment, and building livelihood models under the forest canopy, helping to reduce pressure on logging and create stable and sustainable income.

To ensure transparency and avoid the kind of record discrepancies that have occurred in some other localities, Lao Cai is stepping up the process of officially registering forest land ownership. Local people will participate in surveying and monitoring the current state of the forest alongside the management agency, ensuring that "the work is done properly, and the benefits are real."

Proactively "anticipating" market trends.

The carbon credit market is a new playing field, requiring strong legal frameworks and modern technical infrastructure. To realize the dream of "selling clean air," the Lao Cai provincial government has determined that it must take a proactive approach in planning and management.

The most pressing task now is to complete the database. The province is currently conducting a survey of the current state and reserves of forests throughout the province, expected to be completed in 2026. This will be the most comprehensive foundational dataset, enabling accurate calculations of carbon sequestration and the development of a transparent reporting system (MRV).

Lao Cai is ready when the domestic carbon market officially comes into operation. Photo: Thanh Tien.

Simultaneously, monitoring methods using remote sensing, GIS, or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) will be connected to the national data system, ensuring that Lao Cai is always ready when the domestic carbon market officially comes into operation.

Besides technical preparation, the province also proactively supports businesses and the community by establishing specialized task forces and mobilizing resources from international organizations (ODA, NGOs).

With a well-structured strategy ranging from data standardization and improved management capacity to connecting community interests, Lao Cai is gradually asserting its pioneering position. The province not only aims for green economic development but also proactively adapts to climate change, transforming its green forests into invaluable resources for future development.

Source: https://nongnghiepmoitruong.vn/co-hoi-tu-tin-chi-cac-bon-khi-rung-duoc-bao-ve-va-tai-sinh-ben-vung-d786713.html