Poverty reduction in the face of climate change challenges

With an estimated 1% of households remaining poor by the end of 2025, Vietnam is approaching an important milestone in multidimensional poverty reduction, becoming one of the countries with the fastest poverty reduction rate in the world. However, natural disasters, storms, floods and unusual climate change can directly threaten the achievements and sustainability of poverty reduction in recent times.

Climate change directly impacts the poor

In recent months, many localities across the country have suffered from extreme and unusual storms, leaving serious consequences. Most recently, storm No. 13 (Kalmaegi) severely affected the central provinces, with Gia Lai and Dak Lak provinces suffering heavy losses in terms of human lives and property.

Every year, Vietnam faces a series of natural disasters such as storms, flash floods, landslides, droughts, saltwater intrusion, etc., causing thousands of poor and near-poor households to lose everything, and hundreds of thousands of agricultural workers to lose their livelihoods in the long term. According to the World Bank, if no action is taken, Vietnam could lose up to 12.5% ​​of its economic output by 2050 due to climate change. Extreme weather could also prevent Vietnam from becoming a high-income economy by 2045.

In many recent meetings of the Government , this issue continues to be emphasized. Leaders of ministries and branches pointed out that poverty reduction work must take into account the impact of natural disasters, and even need to supplement related criteria to assess and identify poor households in a more realistic way. Accordingly, poverty reduction cannot be separated from people's ability to adapt and withstand natural disasters. Poverty reduction strategies in the coming period need to be closely linked to sustainable development goals, investing in safe infrastructure, solid housing, climate-adaptive livelihoods and risk insurance for the poor...

Innovation and technology become drivers of poverty reduction

In the context of digital transformation and green economy, science, technology and innovation play an important role in contributing to sustainable multidimensional poverty reduction. Many Vietnamese enterprises are developing technology applications to help people easily access weather information, agricultural techniques and agricultural e-commerce. Many startups in the field of digital agriculture have provided solutions to help thousands of farmers increase productivity, reduce costs and find more stable output.

In addition, the application of artificial intelligence (AI) and big data analysis in disaster management is also very important. Early warning systems, flood forecasting and environmental monitoring by satellite help the government and people to be more proactive in preventing risks and minimizing damage.

Sustainable poverty reduction in the face of climate change cannot rely solely on government policies or international support, but requires promoting the role of local communities. Community models of mangrove planting, eco-tourism, climate-smart agriculture (CSA) or recycling waste at source in Quang Ninh, Ca Mau, Ninh Thuan... are clear evidence of the effective “bottom-up” approach. Initiatives on green credit, natural disaster risk insurance and renewable energy also contribute to helping the poor become more self-reliant in their livelihoods.

According to the National Office for Poverty Reduction, Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, in the period of 2026 - 2030, the expected state budget support resources for the National Target Program on New Rural Development and Sustainable Poverty Reduction will reach about 360,000 billion VND. This further demonstrates the determination to "leave no one behind" in the context of increasingly severe climate change.

Source: https://baophapluat.vn/cong-tac-giam-ngheo-truoc-thach-thuc-bien-doi-khi-hau.html