CARE and Government of Canada support aims to build capacity for carbon credits, forest protection, and climate adaptation planning
The People’s Committee of Son La Province, in coordination with CARE International in Viet Nam, has officially launched the Carbon for Good (C4G) Project, a $ 624,000 initiative aimed at strengthening climate change mitigation capacity, advancing sustainable forest management, and supporting the development of a forest carbon market in the province.
The launch event was held on May 27, bringing together provincial leaders, representatives of relevant departments and agencies, development partners, and international stakeholders, including the Embassy of Canada in Viet Nam and CARE International in Viet Nam.
Funded through support from the Government of Canada and CARE International, the project will be implemented over a 33-month period through March 2028 across five communes in Son La Province: Muong La, Chieng Lao, Muong Bu, Chieng Hoa, and Ngoc Chien.
The initiative is designed to enhance the capacity of local stakeholders in implementing climate change adaptation and mitigation priorities, with a strong focus on forest protection, sustainable forest development, and the mobilization of innovative financial mechanisms, including carbon credits. It also seeks to encourage broader participation from the private sector and local communities in forest conservation efforts.
According to project documents, C4G will deliver three key outcomes. First, it will generate scientific studies, data analysis, and evidence-based recommendations to support forest management strategies and the development of forest carbon credit mechanisms, while encouraging private sector engagement in sustainable forestry investment.
Second, the project will strengthen institutional and technical capacity among relevant stakeholders in Son La to mobilize sustainable financial resources for forest protection, forest development, and poverty reduction.
Third, it will establish a comprehensive database identifying potential areas for carbon project development, serving as a foundation for future planning and classification of carbon initiatives in the province. The project will also facilitate knowledge exchange on international carbon market practices, while improving awareness among local authorities and communities on the benefits of participation.
Son La Province, which possesses nearly 697,000 hectares of forestry land and a forest coverage rate of 47.43 per cent, is recognized as one of the key forested provinces in Viet Nam’s northern mountainous region. The province currently generates approximately $ 8.4–9.5 million annually from forest environmental service payments, which contribute significantly to forest protection efforts and local livelihoods.
Speaking at the launch, Vice Chairman of the Son La Provincial People’s Committee, Nguyen Minh Tien, emphasized the strategic importance of the project in supporting the province’s climate commitments, strengthening scientific and technical foundations, and advancing the development of a transparent and functional forest carbon market.
Representatives from the Embassy of Canada and CARE International in Viet Nam expressed strong support for Son La’s forestry potential and reaffirmed their commitment to assisting the province through capacity building, resource mobilization, and international knowledge sharing.
The project aligns with Viet Nam’s broader national objective of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 and is expected to contribute meaningfully to both environmental sustainability and socio-economic development through improved forest governance and climate finance mechanisms.
