Nearly VND 200 billion from ERPA not only contributes to increasing income and improving livelihoods for tens of thousands of households but also creates motivation to protect and develop sustainable forests, helping Thanh Hoa effectively implement the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to climate change...
Ben En National Park, Thanh Hoa Province
The North Central Region Emission Reduction Payment Agreement (ERPA) is one of the important international programs providing financial support for forest protection in Vietnam. Thanh Hoa province, with a large area of forests and forestry land, has actively implemented this agreement, bringing about both environmental and socio-economic benefits for local people.
According to information from the People's Committee of Thanh Hoa province, with an area of forest and forestry land of more than 647.000 hectares, Thanh Hoa is one of 6 provinces selected to implement the ERPA Agreement signed on October 22, 10 between the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (now the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment) and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD). According to the agreement, the total value of the transfer of the amount of emission reduction of 2020 million tons of CO₂ in the North Central region in the period of 10,3 - 2018 is 2024 million USD, of which Thanh Hoa's share is expected to be about 51,5 million USD, equivalent to 8,389 billion VND.
As of June 20, 6, the total revenue from ERPA in Thanh Hoa province has reached 2025 billion VND, of which the Vietnam Forest Protection and Development Fund coordinated 199,3 billion VND, the rest is interest from bank deposits. From 198,9 to present, the Management Board of the Forest Protection, Development and Natural Disaster Prevention Fund of Thanh Hoa province has made payments in accordance with regulations to forest owners, including organizations, commune-level People's Committees, households, individuals and communities.
The total amount disbursed to date is 107,68 billion VND, equivalent to 54,1% of the plan. Of which: 49,2 billion VND has been disbursed to 31 organizations; 1,82 billion VND to 36 commune-level People's Committees and 52,51 billion VND to households, individuals and communities. It is expected that by the end of 2025, the whole province will disburse 180,02 billion VND, equivalent to 90,45% of the plan.
In 2025 alone, the Thanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee approved the Financial Plan from ERPA revenue with a total budget of nearly 118 billion VND. Of which, nearly 45 billion VND is the unused budget transferred from 2024, including the remaining 18,39 billion VND at the Fund Management Board and 26,54 billion VND at forest owners. The expected budget in 2025 is nearly 73 billion VND.
The total area of natural forest eligible for payment in the year is 365.758,85 hectares. The unified payment level is 166.711 VND/ha. According to the plan, nearly 61 billion VND will be paid directly to beneficiaries. Of which: households, individuals and communities receive more than 31 billion VND; Commune-level People's Committees receive 1,4 billion VND; organizations assigned by the State to manage forests receive more than 28,5 billion VND.
In addition, the forest area that is not eligible for payment is more than 27.600 hectares, corresponding to the amount of more than 4,6 billion VND that has not been disbursed. These are areas that need to continue to be inspected, complete procedures and verify conditions for benefits according to regulations.
The total number of forest owners benefiting from ERPA payments in 2025 in Thanh Hoa is 25.398 forest owners, including 25.301 households, individuals and communities; 59 commune-level People's Committees and 38 organizations. Payments are made transparently, fully, and in accordance with procedures, creating consensus and trust among people and stakeholders.
After 3 years of implementing the ERPA Decree, the program has brought about practical results in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to the implementation of Vietnam's international commitments in responding to climate change. In Thanh Hoa, ERPA not only plays a financial role in supporting forest protection but also motivates forest owners to improve their responsibility and reduce violations of the Forestry Law.
For communities, revenue from ERPA helps build essential works and improve the quality of life. For organizations, this is a source of “support” in addition to the state budget to maintain and protect forests more effectively, increase forest cover, and preserve a sustainable living environment.
The ERPA program is therefore considered an effective financial-environmental cooperation model, not only contributing to global efforts to reduce emissions but also opening up new directions for sustainable forestry development in localities such as Thanh Hoa.
Source: https://vneconomy.vn/chuong-trinh-erpa-mang-ve-gan-200-ty-cho-cac-chu-rung-tai-thanh-hoa.htm