Nghe An province earns over 356 billion VND from reducing forest emissions.

Following the effective date of Government Decree No. 107/2022/ND-CP on the pilot transfer of greenhouse gas emission reduction results in the North Central region, Nghe An province has been one of the localities proactively engaging in the process of concretizing and implementing the Emission Reduction Payment Agreement (ERPA). From 2024 to the present, the implementation of ERPA in the province has achieved noteworthy initial results.

Nghe An province has nearly 1 million hectares of forest land, of which more than 790,000 hectares are natural forests, and the rest are planted forests, possessing great potential to generate carbon credits from forests through the protection and improvement of the quality of natural forests.

At the beginning of 2024, the People's Committee of Nghe An province issued a plan to implement ERPA in the province, serving as a basis for concretizing the benefit-sharing plan according to Decree 107/2022/ND-CP, and simultaneously meeting the conditions for the ERPA agreement to take effect.

Based on this, the province directed relevant departments and agencies to develop and approve a series of important contents such as the overall financial plan for revenue from forest emission reduction, the list of beneficiaries, regulations on forest protection contract rates, and the number and timing of ERPA payments. To ensure consistency and effectiveness in implementation, the Provincial People's Committee clearly assigned responsibilities to each agency and unit supporting the Provincial Forest Protection and Development Fund in ERPA implementation; and approved the list of communities participating in forest management and protection agreements with forest owners who are organizations. Monitoring, inspection, and problem-solving were regularly maintained through direct meetings at the grassroots level.

To date, the total revenue from ERPA in Nghe An province has reached VND 356.43 billion, of which VND 355.58 billion has been allocated from the Central Forest Protection and Development Fund. This is an important financial resource that contributes to supporting and encouraging forest owners and communities to participate in protecting and developing natural forests.

According to statistics, in 2024, Nghe An province disbursed 177.651 billion VND, reaching 81% of the approved plan. Of this amount, 173.281 billion VND was paid directly to beneficiaries.

Nghe An province has nearly 1 million hectares of forest area. Photo: Xuan Hoang

Specifically, VND 41.229 billion was disbursed to 31,201 households, individuals, and communities; VND 115.878 billion was disbursed to 26 forest owners who are organizations; and VND 16.174 billion was disbursed to 109 commune-level People's Committees entrusted by the State with forest management responsibilities. This result demonstrates the province's significant efforts in implementing the ERPA policy.

It is projected that by December 31, 2025, the total disbursed ERPA funds in the province will reach VND 144 billion, equivalent to 81% of the annual plan, of which VND 138 billion will be paid to beneficiaries. The Provincial People's Committee has also directed the adjustment of the overall financial plan, updating the list of beneficiaries and adjusting the forest protection contract rates to better reflect the reality.
The payment of ERPA (Environmental Protection Fund) in Nghe An is carried out in accordance with regulations, ensuring transparency and openness. Forest owners, including organizations and commune-level People's Committees, receive payments via bank accounts. For households, individuals, and communities, flexible payment methods are available, either through bank accounts or public postal services. This is considered a suitable solution, contributing to delivering the forest emission reduction payment policy to the right recipients and objectives, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of sustainable forest protection and development in the province.

Mountains, forests, and the Giang River. Photo: Ho Mau Thanh

Currently, the province continues to finalize legal documents, resolving outstanding issues in land and forest allocation and issuing certificates of land use rights for forestry purposes in accordance with regulations. Local authorities are reviewing all areas where forest allocation and land use certificates have not yet been issued, promptly addressing overlapping boundaries, discrepancies, and outdated records. Post-allocation forest management is being strengthened, promoting the role of the community, strictly controlling forest areas, and severely punishing violations, while also applying digital technology in forest monitoring.

Furthermore, Nghe An province plans to develop forestry in the 2026-2030 period in a sustainable manner, adapting to climate change, improving forest quality, and expanding sustainable forest management certification. Simultaneously, it aims to promote the forestry economy along the value chain, linking forest protection with people's livelihoods, strengthening resources, and enhancing the capacity of forestry management at all levels.

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Source: https://baonghean.vn/nghe-an-thu-hon-356-ty-dong-tu-giam-phat-thai-rung-10322232.html