Blue foods in national climate strategies: Vietnam

Abstract

Vietnam is one of the world’s leading producers and exporters of aquatic foods, contributing around 6-7% to the national GDP and a similar proportion of employment. Pangasius catfish and brackish water shrimp are the main aquaculture and export products, but generate substantial negative environmental impacts and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. At the same time, Vietnam’s aquatic food system faces severe threats from climate change. The country’s extensive coastline and large river deltas – including the highly productive Mekong – make it one of the world’s most vulnerable regions to climate impacts like sea level rise, salinity intrusion, and extreme weather events, such as typhoons. Rising temperatures and ocean acidification are altering marine ecosystems and habitats, threatening fish stocks and the viability of aquaculture. Vietnam has committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 and to reducing GHG emissions by 9% by 2030 domestically, or up to 43.5% with international support. Food security is also a top priority in national socioeconomic development and sustainability policies. Given the aquatic food sector’s climate vulnerability, overexploitation of natural resources, pollution, and high GHG emissions, integrating aquaculture and capture fisheries into national adaptation and mitigation strategies that are responsive to the needs of all stakeholders, including women, would advance national food security and climate goals. This brief is part of a series assessing how blue foods can support national climate goals by combining country-specific data on production, trade, consumption, GHG emissions, and climate risks to identify opportunities for mitigation and adaptation. It is intended for decision-makers developing national climate strategies in Vietnam and similar contexts, as well as funders and implementing partners targeting blue foods in climate initiatives.