The nine-part programme highlights innovative schemes tackling waste management, plastic pollution and sustainable energy production.

Following the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) last November and the publication of the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report, 2022 looks set to be another milestone year for climate action.

Both addressed the urgent need to adapt to the unprecedented impacts of climate change, with international organisations and countries committing to improving sustainable development initiatives and reducing environmental degradation.

In light of these new developments, the EU Delegation to Vietnam (EUD) recently launched an environment-orientated TV series with national broadcaster Vietnam Television (VTV) to boost discourse amongst the public on the climate crisis and European Green Deal.

The series comprises six short reportages – two of which broadcast on 22 February and 12 March 2022. Mainly focused on the blue economy, waste management and plastic pollution, the segments will raise awareness of the European Union’s (EU) ambitious European Strategy for Plastics in a Circular Economy and encourage the public to adopt more sustainable lifestyles and better manage natural resources.

Each reportage explores a particular EU-funded scheme that supports Vietnamese people, organisations and government. These include Fishing for Litter, Plastic Alliance Project, and Ship Waste Management in Vietnamese Ports under the Rethinking Plastics – Circular Economy Solutions to Marine Litter project – co-funded by German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development – as well as the Solar Energy Development Project, and Water and Natural Resources Management, jointly launched with Agence Française de Développement.

The various initiatives were implemented by partners, including Vietnam Association of Fisheries, Expertise France, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Hanoi Architectural University, Institute of Strategy and Policy on Natural Resources and Environment, and Department of Industry and Trade.

In addition to the reportages, the EUD and VTV produced a 25-minute documentary highlighting how the EU is supporting Vietnam to achieve the shared goal of net-zero emission by 2050, green recovery in the aftermath of COVID-19 and the benefits of the European Green Deal – including a cleaner environment, more affordable energy, smarter transport and new jobs.

Two 20-minute shows, meanwhile, will zoom in on renewable, clean and sustainable energy. Each will emphasise how critical decarbonising the energy system is for reaching climate objectives and explain how the EU-Vietnam collaboration aims to develop a power sector mainly based on renewable energy. The programmes will also present case studies, and lessons learnt from the EU, which continues to spearhead global clean and renewable energy development plans within its role as a global leader for climate action.

Indeed, in the wake of the recent COP26, the EU joined other developed nations in committing to mobilising more than EUR 900 million (USD 100 billion) each year until 2025 to help the most vulnerable countries to mitigate and adapt to climate challenges. As the largest donor, the EU’s pledge in 2020 exceeded EUR 23.39 billion in 2020. Moreover, President von der Leyen recently announced an additional EU 4 billion from the EU budget for climate finance until 2027.