Climate Change and the Challenges for Developing Countries in the Implementation of the Human Right to a Healthy Environment: Case of Vietnam

Abstract

Climate change is becoming the largest crisis that humans have ever faced and a major challenge to the socio-economic and prosperous development of almost every country in the world, especially developing countries. According to the Report of the 2019 Long-Term Climate Risk Index of Germanwatch, Vietnam is rated as one of the most vulnerable countries in the world to the impacts of climate change due to factors such as its geographic location, economic development model and population density. The negative impacts of climate change have become barriers for Vietnam in implementing socio-economic development policies, sustainable development goals and human rights, including the right to a healthy environment. This article will focus on clarifying the legal basis as well as the direct challenges of climate change in ensuring the right to a healthy environment in Vietnam and will recommend appropriate solutions to improve the law and capacity to enforce this right in Vietnam.