MEKONG DELTA, VIET NAM – Home to approximately 18 million people (GSO, 2024), the Mekong Delta covers nearly four million hectares and serves as a vital economic and ecological hub for the region. However, rapid urban expansion poses significant risks to the delta’s stability. The construction sector consumes around 55 million cubic meters of sand annually, leading to large-scale riverbed extraction that causes severe erosion and riverbank collapse, threatening both nature and local communities.
With financial support from the International Climate Initiative (IKI), WWF, government, and other partners successfully developed the first-ever sand budget for the Mekong Delta through the Drifting Sands project, quantifying the dynamic sediment balance for the Tiền and Hậu Rivers as of 2022 and establishing strategic projections through 2030 and 2040. The sand budget provides an early warning for the construction sector in Southern Viet Nam. Current data indicate that if extraction continues at the present pace, the delta’s mobile sand reserves will be completely depleted within 10 years.
Three comprehensive studies identifying approximately 18 sustainable alternative materials conducted under the project are aimed at supporting the transition to a more sustainable construction sector. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) results demonstrate that utilising secondary fine aggregates offers significant environmental advantages. These alternatives can replace river sand at rates ranging from 15% to 100% in applications such as concrete, mortar, bricks, and road sub-base layers, as the following immediate and future-oriented solutions:
- Short-term solution:Manufactured Sand (M-sand) was identified as the most promising immediate option.
- Long-term solution:Construction and Demolition Waste (CDW) represent a vital future resource.
However, the study’s results highlight critical barriers to adoption, including a lack of technical standards, insufficient cost guidance, and the need for improved incentive frameworks (such as taxation) to foster market maturity.
Since the launch of the Mekong Delta Sand Budget in 2023, project results have been widely disseminated through targeted stakeholder engagement. WWF has organised a series of webinars, dialogues, and technical workshops, reaching over 400 participants from the private sector, government, NGOs, and academia. Additionally, the project has built capacity among more than 250 young professionals, including civil engineers and architects, natural resources, etc., focusing on the technical viability of alternative aggregates.
WWF partnered with the Viet Nam Green Building Council (VGBC) to drive the shift from a linear to a circular economy. Supported by the project, VGBC trained more than 50 representatives from leading companies in Southern Viet Nam on circular construction. A WWF staff also joined the VGBC’s Technical Advisory Committee to support the integration of recycling and responsible sand sourcing into the latest LOTUS green building rating scheme.
Looking beyond the Drifting Sands project, WWF continues to collaborate with partners such as Euro Cham, SIKA, FICO, VIBM, and VGBC to maintain momentum. The collective aim is to strengthen sectoral capacity and mobilise resources to align with Vietnam’s Building Materials Strategy for 2021-2030 and the industry’s pathway toward Net Zero carbon by 2050.
Acronyms
- FICO:JSC Fico Tay Ninh Cement
- SIKA:Sika Limited Viet Nam
- VIBM:Vietnam Institute of Building Materials
GSO: General Statistics Office of Viet Nam
For more information about the project, please refer to the following link: Drifting Sands: Mitigating the impacts of climate change in the Mekong Delta by engaging the private and public sectors in the sand industry | Internationale Klimaschutzinitiative (IKI)
As the world moves away from fossil fuels, regions dependent on coal face complex transition challenges. In October 2025, around 100 experts, policy-makers, and leaders from across the globe gathered in Samarinda, East Kalimantan – the heart of Indonesia’s coal industry – for the third edition of the International Forum for Coal Regions in Transition. The forum aims to generate concrete outcomes, including shared policy lessons on managing mine closures without increasing poverty, actionable approaches to economic diversification, emerging models for repurposing former mining land for renewable energy, and strategies to strengthen the role of subnational governments in mobilising finance and preparing local workforces for a post-coal economy. The event, organised under the Innovation Regions for a Just Energy Transition (IKI JET) project, provided a global platform for exchanging knowledge and sharing regional experiences.
Against a backdrop of coal barges gliding east on the Mahakam River, bound for industrial sites across Indonesia and export abroad, the hybrid forum brought together governments, regional authorities, labour unions, academia, civil society, and the private sector for a dialogue on building sustainable futures in coal-dependent regions. This year, the forum was held as part of Indonesia Sustainable Energy Week Goes Regional (ISEWGR), in collaboration with the Clean, Affordable and Secure Energy (CASE) for Southeast Asia project and the German-Indonesian Energy Cooperation Hub of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).
The full-day forum explored strategies for economic diversification, mobilising investments for renewable energy, identifying opportunities for small businesses, and repurposing former mining land.
In his opening remarks, Dedi Rustandi, coordinator for New, Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation (EBTKE) at the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas), emphasised that strong commitment from all levels of government, as well as multisectoral collaboration, is essential to achieving a just transition. Citing “learning by doing” cases such as Sangatta in East Kalimantan and Sawahlunto in West Sumatra, he stressed that mine closures that do not lead to increased poverty are possible.
Philipp Schattenmann, director of the IKI JET project at GIZ, acknowledged the benefits delivered by coal in the past but highlighted the momentum of progress and the inevitability of change, noting the need to adapt to a post-coal future. As renewables and batteries become increasingly competitive, he said, coal regions must seize the opportunities they present to avoid being left behind.
Key Takeaways
A central theme of this year’s forum was how regional and local governments can translate high-level energy transition goals into concrete action on the ground. Sri Wahyuni, the provincial secretary of East Kalimantan Province, emphasised the important role that subnational authorities play in mobilising finance and enabling clean energy investments by facilitating land and permits, preparing the workforce, encouraging local community participation, and providing incentives in the form of road and clean water infrastructure. Innovative ideas, such as converting former coal mines into solar farms, are emerging as practical solutions that can promote mine reclamation and responsible closures, create jobs for former coal workers and local communities, and simplify land acquisition for renewable projects.
At the International Forum for Coal Regions in Transition 2025, the Vietnamese delegation highlighted the practical value of Indonesia’s experiences in green and low-emission redevelopment of coal regions. In particular, the development model of Indonesia’s new capital, Nusantara—aiming for 100% renewable energy use, net-zero emissions, and transparent energy governance—was seen as highly relevant for Viet Nam’s coal-dependent regions.
The solar-plus-storage (Solar + BESS) model demonstrated in Nusantara showed strong potential for application on post-mining land, waste dumps, and industrial facilities to support self-consumption electricity and emissions reduction. In addition, policy instruments such as public–private partnerships, green finance, and just energy transition mechanisms linked to workforce reskilling were identified as valuable references for Viet Nam’s pathway towards its Net Zero 2050 commitment.
Similar experiences from other parts of the world show that economic diversification and social inclusion are at the heart of just transitions. Eloïse O’Carroll, programme manager for Forestry, Natural Resources, and Energy of the European Union (EU) Delegation to Indonesia, showcased the EU Just Transition Fund (JTF), a scheme that helps EU regions dependent on coal, oil, and other carbon-intensive industries upskill workers, develop new industries, and expand renewable energy. The projects funded so far offer lessons in how immediate challenges can be addressed and long-term plans for economic diversification can be supported. In the Polish subregion of Konin, for instance, 2,200 former mining and power plant workers are set to be reskilled and upskilled with support from the fund, while in Sweden, the H2-Labs project is building a test bed for hydrogen applications in energy systems and industries.
Delegates from South Africa, which hosted the 2024 International Forum in Pretoria, shared their experiences from the coal-mining region of Mpumalanga, where local governments are focusing on climate-resilient infrastructure and green energy to tackle climate risks and poverty. Edwin Mametja, divisional manager of Climate Change and Biodiversity at the Nkangala District Municipality, outlined how the district also benefits from a robust monitoring and evaluation system to help track progress in its intervention programmes.
Bringing perspectives from Colombia and Latin America, Karem Castro, technical and strategic coordinator of Transforma, showcased how energy communities can advance social justice during the energy transition. Diagnostic assessments provide a foundation for projects tailored to local realities, while trust-building with communities allows inclusive participation and co-design of activities. Yet, securing finance for small-scale community projects remains a key challenge, requiring stronger institutional coordination.
An overarching theme throughout the conference was economic diversification in coal regions. Hari Wibawa, head of the Economic and Development Financing Division at the Regional Development Planning Agency (Bappeda) of South Sumatra Province, highlighted the region’s inclusive social dialogue forum, which brings together stakeholders and local communities to plan a roadmap for economic diversification. The forum aims to identify potential sectors to replace coal and the challenges that might arise in developing them.
Speakers also touched on the major obstacles faced during the energy transition, including loss of state income and a lack of public acceptance of renewables projects. Timon Wehnert, co-lead of the International Energy Transitions Research Unit at the Wuppertal Institute, emphasised that channelling economic benefits from renewables projects directly to local communities—through tax revenue sharing systems, community benefit schemes, and local ownership—can improve public support. Complementing this, Götz von Stumpfeldt, an advisor at IKI JET and GIZ, presented a practical handbook on economic diversification, offering tools for regional authorities to identify promising sectors with the highest potential; align strategies with social, environmental, and economic objectives; and leverage available data to develop comprehensive transition plans. The handbook also includes technical tools to estimate economic potential through market analysis and mapping of relevant actors.
Finally, the forum touched on the role of micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in the transition. Lishia Erza, who chairs the SME Entrepreneurship Capacity Building and Inclusive Economy Department at the Indonesian Employers Association (APINDO), emphasised that the clean energy supply chain provides many opportunities for MSMEs through installation, maintenance, repair, and logistics for renewables, battery storage, and electric mobility. By leveraging their existing capabilities and local networks, MSMEs can play a central role in advancing the clean energy transition and ensuring that its benefits remain within local communities.
On 7 December 2025, the Student Forum 2025 took place at Thuyloi University, marking the largest edition of the forum to date.
This year’s event was organised under the theme “Energy and Applications for Net Zero”, reflecting the strong linkage between students’ scientific research activities, Viet Nam’s sustainable energy strategy, and its Net Zero pathway.
Key figures at a glance:
100+ scientific papers from 15 universities
Nguyen Dang Cuong from the State Agency for Technology Innovation (under Ministry of Science and Technology) emphasises that this year’s theme is not only timely but also “a mandate of the era,” as Viet Nam enters a decisive phase of its energy transition. He noted that achieving Net Zero by 2050 requires breakthrough approaches, new technologies, and creative thinking – with students playing a vital role in this journey.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Canh Thai, Vice President of Thuyloi University, highlighted: “The Student Forum 2025 provides an ideal environment for students to demonstrate their capabilities, share new ideas, and contribute innovative solutions to Viet Nam’s Net Zero goals.”
CASE is proud to contribute to the Student Forum over the past years, encouraging the students to explore the innovation, and realization of advanced technological solutions among students. This is also an opportunity for universities within the network to connect, exchange on the topic, and share knowledge and experiences in teaching about renewable energy.
GIZ ESP, via CASE, remains committed to continuing its collaboration with universities in the coming years to support the development of a skilled workforce for Viet Nam’s Net Zero pathway.
For more information about the project, please visit the following link: Clean, affordable and secure energy for Southeast Asia (CASE) | Internationale Klimaschutzinitiative (IKI)
On 13–14 November 2025, the GIZ Energy Support Programme, in collaboration with the State Agency for Technology Innovation under the Ministry of Science and Technology, organised the training course “Operation & Maintenance (O&M) of Wind Power Plants” in Ho Chi Minh City under the framework of the CASE Viet Nam project.
The course attracted more than 50 participants, including representatives of project developers, technical and operational staff of wind power plants, universities, and consulting units.
The training included e international best practices on wind power plant operation and maintenance (O&M), shareed lessons learned and practical experience from wind power plants in Viet Nam, promoted the adoption of predictive maintenance using digital technologies and AI in Viet Nam and strengthened the capacity of technicians working in wind power plant operation, maintenance, and repair through specific case scenarios.
Le Ngoc Long – Director, V1-2 Wind Power Plant, Truong Thanh Tra Vinh Wind JSC says: “This training course was very useful and directly addressed the topics we are most concerned with. Recently, our plant has encountered several incidents. I wanted to share our experiences and learn how other plants handle similar situations, so that all parties can gain insights and better support each other. Transitioning from hiring foreign contractors to domestic service providers is also an option worth considering, as it reduces costs while enabling faster and more timely incident resolution.”
Dang Chi Cuong – Operation Management Engineer, Gia Lai Power Joint Stock Company (GEC) shares: “The two-day seminar has provided me with a wealth of new and highly useful information. These insights not only support our current projects but also help guide the development of new projects within the company. Listening to the experiences shared by other plants – such as operating Goldwind turbines or earlier Vestas models like the V100 – has been particularly valuable. Currently, we are using the Vestas V150-4.2, one of the latest technologies, so these practical insights give me a much clearer and relevant perspective for our work.”
Nguyen Van Dung – PetroVietnam Technical Services Corporation (PTSC) highlights: “Knowledge is limitless, so even learning just one new thing in each training course is incredibly valuable for us. I hope that in the future, the project will organise more advanced courses – for example, sessions on maintenance planning, covering human resources, materials, and weather factors, or practical sessions on diagnosing and ‘troubleshooting’ equipment such as gearboxes. I will definitely continue to participate in the project’s upcoming training courses.”
The event provided an opportunity for stakeholders to update their knowledge, exchange practical experience, and jointly explore solutions to improve the operational efficiency of wind power projects. It also represents an important step in promoting the energy transition in Viet Nam.
For more information about the project, please visit the following link: Clean, affordable and secure energy for Southeast Asia (CASE) | Internationale Klimaschutzinitiative (IKI)
Farmers and authorities in Ha Tinh discussed the provincial-scale implementation of nature-based solutions for adaptation, considering existing pilots. By integrating agroforestry and resilient nursing models, they built resilience against environmental shocks. A proposed provincial network connects government, business, and farmers to ensure the right funding and technical support reach the front lines.
Ha Tinh Department of Agriculture and Environment (DAE) and the Support to Vietnam for the Implementation of the Paris Agreement (VN-SIPA II) project organised a planning workshop on nature based solutions for adaptation and climate smart agriculture on 31 October 2025.
The workshop focused on the of restoration of ecosystems, enhancing biodiversity, and improving the adaptive capacity of local communities in a province that has been severely impacted by climate change and extreme weather events. This resulted in a roadmap that shifts Ha Tinh’s agricultural sector from conventional, resource-intensive practices toward a nature-based, climate-resilient framework that aligns with the goals of the Paris Agreement. GIZ representatives introduced the core concepts of NbSA and CSA, highlighting how healthy ecosystems serve as natural buffers that reduce disaster risks and increase the overall resilience of rural communities.
A core outcome of these discussions was the transition from pilot models to provincial-scale implementation. The Ha Tinh Provincial Agricultural Extension Center presented potential sites and models across five initial communes, while the Ha Tinh Provincial Farmers’ Union followed with a plan to scale these initiatives to 20 communes during the 2025–2027 period. To support this growth, delegates proposed the formation of a provincial-level NbSA network that will serve as a vital link between the government, businesses, and social organisations, ensuring that technical support and investment capital reach cooperatives and core farmer households directly. This systemic approach is intended to create positive changes in resource management and environmental protection across the province.
Detailed discussions also addressed the heavy reliance on chemical fertilisers, which currently account for 80% to 90% of local usage. Delegates identified that while chemicals are favoured for their quick results, the long-term solution lies in a closed-loop value chain that utilises microbial inoculants to compost rice straw and agricultural by-products instead of burning them. Furthermore, the workshop addressed the severe climate impacts on aquaculture, which suffered losses of nearly 300 billion VND in 2025 due to storms and floods. In response, stakeholders proposed shifting to polyculture, 2–3 stage nursing models, and greenhouse farming to shield livestock from environmental shocks, alongside agroforestry models that integrate native trees with beekeeping and medicinal plant cultivation.
Moving toward sustainable agriculture also requires modernising how farmers access information and reach consumers. The workshop highlighted the need to replace informal experience-based habits with seasonal agro-climate bulletins delivered via digital platforms to ensure timely warnings of extreme weather. Additionally, presentations emphasised empowering cooperatives – particularly those managed by women – to move beyond traditional traders and sell through e-commerce and clean-food chains. By focusing on regional specialities, the province aims to improve market competitiveness while ensuring social inclusion through targeted digital and technical training for women and the rural poor.
The workshop solidified the partnership between the Ha Tinh Department of Agriculture and Environment (DAE) and GIZ under the Framework of the VN-SIPA II project. GIZ has committed to providing ongoing technical and financial support for the planning, monitoring, and evaluation phases.
These outcomes represent a significant step in Ha Tinh’s commitment to the Paris Agreement, ensuring that the province’s agricultural sector is not only sustainable but also a primary driver of climate adaptation for its people.
For more information about the project, please visit the following link: Support to Viet Nam for the Implementation of the Paris Agreement II | Internationale Klimaschutzinitiative (IKI)
In July 2025, RENAC launched 100 full scholarships for Viet Nam as part of the Green Banking Project, supported by GIZ Viet Nam, IFC Green Commercial Banks, and the Private Finance Advisory Network (PFAN). By the end of 2025, 15 scholarships were awarded for the Applying Green Energy Financing (AGEF) – Small Scale training under the new project phase, which started in November 2025 and will run until February 2026. This marks the first scholarship intake, bringing together a cohort of highly motivated professionals ready to become agents of change within their organisations and across the sector.
The next call for applications for the Green Hydrogen training with 20 scholarships and the Green Energy Finance Specialist (GEFS), Small Scale with 15 scholarships, will open in 2026, with the global programme running in Colombia, Brazil, Kenya, South Africa, Indonesia, and Viet Nam.
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About the Green Banking Project
The Green Banking Project aims to strengthen the skills and capacities of professionals and institutions to finance Renewable Energy (RE), Energy Efficiency (EE), Green Hydrogen, and Energy Storage projects.
Project Priorities:
- Transfer of knowledge on the technical and financial fundamentals of RE, EE, green hydrogen, and storage technologies.
- Facilitation of networking and access to climate finance, including German and international instruments such as the Green Climate Fund, to enhance local financing opportunities by integrating international capital sources.
Fellows gain practical insights into:
- RE and EE technologies
- Project development and risk assessment
- Mitigation mechanisms and innovative financing instruments
- Access to international climate finance opportunities
These trainings help drive investment readiness and promote the development of new financing instruments for climate change mitigation.
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Training Programmes
Online Courses
- Green Hydrogen Project Development and Economics
- Applying Green Energy Financing
- Small-scale projects
- Project developer
Hybrid Programme (Online + In-person)
- Green Energy Financing Specialist
- Small-scale projects
- Project developer
Additional Activities
- Delegation visits and B2B meetings in Berlin
- Training-of-Trainers Seminar in Hanoi
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How to Apply
Interested professionals can apply by completing the scholarship application forms.
For more information, please visit our website or subscribe to the Green Banking Newsletter:
Website: https://www.renac.de/projects/current-projects/green-banking-project
Newsletter Subscription: https://form.jotform.com/RENAC/GreenBankingNewsletter
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Towards Net-Zero: Building Skills for Climate Finance
As countries advance toward net-zero targets, access to finance remains a major barrier. The Green Banking Project equips financial and energy professionals with the skills to assess viable projects and structure innovative financing solutions—turning climate ambition into real investments.
For more information about the project, please refer to the following link: Green Banking – Capacity Building for Green Energy and Climate Finance | Internationale Klimaschutzinitiative (IKI)
IKI Project News
MEKONG DELTA, VIET NAM – Home to approximately 18 million people (GSO, 2024), the Mekong Delta covers nearly four million hectares and serves as a vital economic […]
As the world moves away from fossil fuels, regions dependent on coal face complex transition challenges. In October 2025, around […]
On 7 December 2025, the Student Forum 2025 took place at Thuyloi University, marking the largest edition of the forum […]
On 13–14 November 2025, the GIZ Energy Support Programme, in collaboration with the State Agency for Technology Innovation under the […]
IKI-Newsletter
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Climate and Biodiversity News
In agriculture and environmental policy, a systemic shift from centralised control to performance-based governance is underway with Decrees No. 136/2025/NĐ-CP […]
Set at the edge of the Amazon rainforest, the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30), held in Belém, Brazil, […]
A new policy backbone for species conservation In the implementation phase of the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KM-GBF) and the […]
Events
Dear IKI Viet Nam colleagues, We cordially invite you to join our annual CTA meeting of the IKI Interface Viet […]
We invite you to the IKI Implementer Webinar on the GBF Monitoring Framework. Date and time: Friday, 19 December 2025, […]
We are pleased to invite you to the IKI Update Meeting on the outcomes of the UNFCCC COP30 (held in […]
We would like to inform you that the 2025 IKI Interface Viet Nam Workshop is scheduled to take place on […]
The IKI Interface Viet Nam team invites you to the IKI Implementer Meeting on Gender Mainstreaming: Sharing Good Practices from […]
Recent Publications
Biodiversity and climate policies and actions are not gender neutral. Gender inequality, the drivers and impacts of climate change, and biodiversity loss are deeply interconnected and often reinforce one another. However, when addressed in an integrated and strategic manner, these issues have the potential to generate a positive multiplier effect, advancing gender equality while enhancing the effectiveness and sustainability of environmental outcomes. Recongnising this, the International Climate Initiative (IKI) has identified gender equality as a key success factor in its operational approach. Gender justice is embedded in both the objectives and implementation of IKI projects, ensuring that climate and biodiversity actions are inclusive, equitable, and impactful.
This knowledge product, named “Gender Mainstreaming in Biodiversity and Climate Policies and Actions: Insights from IKI Projects in Viet Nam” has been developed to foster cross-learning and knowledge exchange among IKI implementers. It documents practical experiences, gender-responsive approaches, achievements, and lessons learned from mainstreaming gender into project operations.
Please find the publication at:
On 14th October 2025, in Hanoi, the IKI Interface Viet Nam Workshop 2025 convened over 80 participants to explore intersectoral cooperation and investment mobilisation for climate action and biodiversity conservation. The workshop’s theme, “Green Transformation of Businesses to Protect Climate and Biodiversity”, underscored the critical role of the private sector as a key driver for translating Viet Nam’s climate and biodiversity commitments into tangible action.
Please find the documentation of the IKI Workshop 2025 at:
The International Climate Initiative (IKI) is a key delegation of Germany’s commitment to climate action and biodiversity conservation. As one of IKI’s priority partners, Viet Nam has been receiving support from IKI projects in the country’s transformation toward climate-compatible, resilient development across sectors.
Last year marked a milestone year of dialogue and knowledge exchange for IKI Viet Nam: thematic exchanges, Gender and Communication trainings, and the IKI Interface Viet Nam Workshop 2024. Beyond in-person meetings, IKI’s network also expands via online communication channels.
Since the first project in 2008, IKI has been growing in scope, scale, and vision. To achieve lasting impact, synergy must remain at the heart of our work. With the robust system of networking and practical knowledge in place, the mission then lies in how to use our existing resources effectively.
This flyer providing an overview of upcoming Green Banking activities planned for the coming years. This flyer is intended mainly for internal information and for use by internal multipliers, rather than for wider external distribution
Please find the details of the scholarship programme below:
