Ricardo : UK emissions experts help Viet Nam develop efficient greenhouse gas inventories

The British Embassy Hanoi and technical experts from Ricardo Energy & Environment, through the UK Prosperity Fund 2016-2017, are supporting Viet Nam in developing high quality greenhouse gas (GHG) inventories to meet its international environmental commitments and become a leader in emissions monitoring amongst developing nations.

The year-long capacity building programme will provide 'peer-to-peer' hands-on support to the Vietnamese greenhouse gas inventory compilation team. Led by Ricardo Energy & Environment's GHG technical experts, the project draws from experience developing and implementing GHG inventory and Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) systems around the world. The team will run a series of workshops to build lasting technical knowledge in GHG inventory development and share experience and best practice from the UK.

In particular, the project will support Viet Nam's Department of Meteorology, Hydrology and Climate Change (DMHCC) - under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE) - to develop templates and guidance for improved data collection and management. Outputs will include a 2016-2020 GHGI implementation and reporting roadmap to support the creation of an independent and sustainable national inventory system (NIS) that meets the requirements of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

MRV of greenhouse gas emissions is a key pillar of countries' climate response strategies. The political commitment to develop a robust GHG inventory system and reporting framework is demonstrated and recognised in Viet Nam's Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) to the Paris Climate Agreement.

Ricardo Energy & Environment has worked with DHMCC and MONRE since 2014, providing capacity building to support GHG inventory system development. In partnership with British Embassy Hanoi the team has helped to raise engagement, increase knowledge and upskill key technical staff in the country. The latest project will address specific technical needs as Viet Nam begins implementation. The team will provide technical guidance and support to help the government put in place the structures, processes and expertise required to realise a fully-functioning NIS and MRV system, tailored to Viet Nam's developmental needs.

'We are extremely proud to support the government of Viet Nam through capacity building for local staff to develop its greenhouse gas inventory system, realise its ambitious Paris climate commitments, and move towards a lower carbon economy,' said Dr Rose Bailey, principal consultant at Ricardo Energy & Environment. 'The UK is a global leader on GHG inventories and Ricardo has been fortunate to play a role in achieving this success. By sharing this experience on best practice we will help the Vietnamese government to overcome the common hurdles to GHG implementation and quickly meet its ambition for excellence in emissions monitoring and reporting.'

Ricardo Energy & Environment has operated the UK emissions inventory programme for over 30 years and managed its GHG reporting since 1996. The company supports governments, international donors and private sector organisations by providing the technical guidance on the infrastructure and capabilities required to turn their environmental and sustainability goals into reality. This includes supporting countries and cities to ensure that their inventories are transparent and complete by identifying and offering bespoke solutions to issues in methodologies or reporting.

For more information on Ricardo Energy & Environment's work supporting the development and implementation of world leading GHGIs, visit http://ee.ricardo.com/cms/mrv-systems-and-ghg-inventories/

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