153 Case study – Mangrove restoration in Viet Nam Project approach Create storm surge buffer zones: The project scales up previous successful mangrove restoration projects in Viet Nam. To avoid monoculture plantations, the project will plant a diversity of mangrove and other coastal tree species identified by local communities. Working with landowners and community groups, mangrove regeneration and replanting is planned for integration with aquaculture farming and in surrounding vulnerable communities. Alternative livelihood models (e.g., integrated aquaculture, livestock and crop production) have also been proposed and trialled to mitigate potential impacts of restoration on farmers. Enhance climate risk information: Aligning with existing community groups and structure, the project will train participants in community-based disaster risk assessment and management (CBDRA/M). This follows a participatory, decentralised approach, improving data collection and access while strengthening ownership. Safe housing: The project worked with architects to design and build storm and flood resilient housing for coastal communities. New storm and flood resilient housing reported no damages during Typhoon Matmo in 2019. Project outcomes Expected project outcomes and milestones include: Restoration of native mangroves and coastal species expected to provide 4,000 ha of storm surge buffer over the project life cycle, and sequester approximately 565,180 tCO2e. Mainstreaming of project objectives and approach has led to the consideration of adjustments in cost norms for mangrove plantings at the national level. Improved risk planning from CBDRM/A training and activities will contribute to tailored products for the finance and insurance sectors. Training will also ensure ongoing monitoring and adaptive management of replanting activity. As of 2019, 152 communes established CBDRM/A Technical Assistance Committees, comprising 16,723 participants including those from the Women’s Union, Youth Union, and the Red Cross in 2019. Lessons learnt Disaggregate data: The project engaged women’s and youth groups, uplifting vulnerable groups and increasing community participation. Elevate local knowledge: Recommendations by local community members improved project siting, and increased the diversity of species used in buffer zones. Encourage natural regeneration: Research supported by the project found that natural regeneration can increase mangrove seedling survival from 50% to 80%. Evaluate cost effectiveness: The project found that replanting mangroves was more costly than the given national standard of $800-1,000/ha. Raising cost norms to $1,500-$4,000/ha can ensure more effective restoration activities are undertaken. Sustainability and legacy of project The project builds on previous mangrove restoration efforts, improving best practiceand replicating success. Long-term support of the project’s objectives is evidencedin the mainstreaming of NbS in policy and decisions as well as co-financing fromcross-sectoral ministries. This allows for longer-term planning and commitment to NbS approaches. The project provides strengthened evidence base for decision-makers in the cost-effectiveness of restoration techniques and seedling survival rates. Improved knowledge from monitoring by local commune CBDRM/A committees allows for feedback and adaptive management responsive to new information and changing ecosystems due to climate change. Finally, the recognition of the importance of site-specificity (considering species, soil chemistry, and other environmental parameters) has ensured the success of restoration projects, protecting communities and creating a lasting impact. Further information: https://www.greenclimate.fund/project/fp013 Diagram of NbS interactions showing that natural regenerationof mangroves can contribute towards multiple benefits. Return to Principles