Regulations concerning forest carbon sequestration and storage services.

The provision and utilization of carbon sequestration and storage services by forests must not affect the fulfillment of international commitments on greenhouse gas emission reductions to which Vietnam is a party.

The government issued Decree No. 180/2026/ND-CP regulating carbon sequestration and storage services of forests.

This Decree regulates the subjects, forms of payment, payment levels, and management and use of funds for forest carbon sequestration and storage services; forest carbon projects; determination of greenhouse gas emission reduction results; and the provision of forest carbon credits.

Principles of supplying and utilizing carbon sequestration and storage services of forests.

According to the Decree, the provision and use of carbon sequestration and storage services by forests must ensure transparency, accountability, and a balance of interests between the State, forest owners, and relevant parties; and ensure national defense, security, and environmental protection.

The provision and utilization of carbon sequestration and storage services by forests must not affect the fulfillment of international commitments on greenhouse gas emission reductions to which Vietnam is a party.

Once emission reduction results or forest carbon credits have been exchanged or transferred under contract or on a carbon exchange, the supplier or representative of the owner of the emission reduction results or forest carbon credits is not allowed to exchange or transfer them to other users.

For forests owned by the entire population, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment is the representative owner of the emission reduction results and forest carbon credits generated from forest carbon projects implemented by specialized agencies under the Ministry; the People's Committee of the province is the representative owner of the emission reduction results and forest carbon credits generated from forest carbon projects implemented by specialized agencies under the People's Committee of the province (provincial-level specialized agencies); and the forest owner owns the emission reduction results and forest carbon credits generated from forest carbon projects implemented by the forest owner.

Funds obtained from the exchange and transfer of emission reduction results and forest carbon credits from forest owners who are organizations for forests under public ownership will be prioritized to support forest protection and development, livelihoods for local communities, the development of forest carbon projects, measurement, reporting, assessment, and the creation of forestry databases in the province.

The exchange and transfer of emission reduction results and forest carbon credits to the international market shall be carried out in accordance with the Government's regulations on the international exchange of emission reduction results and carbon credits.

Forest owners may cooperate and collaborate with organizations and individuals to implement forest carbon projects; develop, measure, report, assess, and issue forest carbon credits; and share the results of emission reductions and forest carbon credits in accordance with the law.

Illustrative image. (Photo: Khoa Chuong/VNA)

Requirements for the provision and utilization of forest carbon sequestration and storage services.

The decree stipulates that the service provider or the owner's representative must meet the following requirements:

Develop and register forest carbon projects; organize measurement, reporting, and evaluation of emission reduction results; be granted forest carbon credits as prescribed; fulfill obligations to contribute emission reduction results and other financial obligations regarding taxes, fees, and charges (if any) as prescribed by law.

The provision of services is carried out through exchange, transfer under contract or on a carbon exchange; the exchange or transfer of emission reduction results and forest carbon credits is only permitted after confirmation by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment.

The service user must meet the following requirements: operate legally in accordance with the laws on investment, enterprises, and other relevant laws of Vietnam; fulfill the terms of the contract or comply with the Government's regulations on domestic carbon exchanges and other carbon exchanges; and fully fulfill financial obligations regarding taxes, fees, and charges (if any) as prescribed by law.

Payment method

According to the Decree, the service user pays the service provider directly under contract or through a carbon exchange platform.

The service user pays the entrusted service provider through the Forest Protection and Development Fund according to the contract stipulated in points a and b of Clause 1, Article 13 of this Decree or on the carbon exchange.

Payment amount

The decree stipulates that the payment rate for carbon sequestration and storage services by forests is calculated in Vietnamese Dong per ton of CO2, or per ton of CO2 equivalent, or per forest carbon credit. The Minister of Agriculture and Environment shall prescribe the method for determining the payment rate for carbon sequestration and storage services by forests under public ownership.

The exchange price for the transfer of emission reduction results and forest carbon credits is determined through contracts or on carbon exchanges and is calculated in Vietnamese Dong. In the case of transfers abroad, the exchange price is calculated in foreign currency in accordance with Vietnamese law on foreign exchange management.

The entities specified in Clause 1, Article 9 of this Decree are responsible for determining the payment rate for carbon sequestration and storage services of forests as stipulated in item (*) above and ensuring that the initial exchange or transfer price for each emission reduction result and forest carbon credit is not lower than the determined payment rate.

The Decree takes effect from July 1, 2026.

(Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/quy-dinh-ve-dich-vu-hap-thu-va-luu-giu-carbon-cua-rung-post1112203.vnp