Author
Assoc Prof Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan
Organisation/Institution
Hanoi Law University
Country
VIETNAM
Panel
Environmental Law
Title
CLIMATE JUSTICE AND DISPROPORTIONAL IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES: AN APPROACH FROM INTERNATIONAL LEGAL PERSPECTIVES AND ASEAN COUNTRIES
Abstract
Abstract: Climate change, a global challenge, poses a serious issue of climate justice, especially for vulnerable groups, such as the poor, women, children, ethnic minorities, indigenous peoples and residents in the areas directly affected by natural disasters, sea level rise, droughts and floods. Despite making the least contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions, they suffer the most severe consequences, including losing their livelihoods, limited coping resources, and a high risk of social inequality. With disadvantaged economic conditions, unsafe living environments, and limited access to services, they face many obstacles in climate adaptation. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure climate justice and consider it a key principle in global and national governance. This article analyses the international legal framework on climate justice and human rights to indicate that, despite the progress in protecting the rights of vulnerable groups, many regulations remain non-binding and lack a clear definition of responsibilities among member states. This limitation is disadvantageous for developing countries, including Vietnam, when international financial and technological support is merely advisory, unstable, and insufficient for effective implementation. Research on policies and practices in Vietnam and other ASEAN countries shows significant progress has been achieved, including the issuance of the National Strategy on Climate Change, the integration of social equity into poverty-reduction and sustainable development policies, expanded international cooperation, and improved governance capacity. However, financial and technological limitations, as well as the gap between regulations and enforcement, remain significant challenges for Vietnam. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the international legal framework with a binding and fair mechanism of responsibility allocation and internalize international commitments to protect vulnerable groups and promote sustainable development effectively. Keywords: climate change, climate justice, vulnerable groups, international law, sustainable development
Biography
I am an Associate Professor of Law and currently serve as Director of the Postgraduate Department at Hanoi Law University (HLU), Vietnam. With nearly three decades of professional experience in legal education, research, and academic administration, I have lectured extensively at HLU and other universities in the areas of Public International Law, International Human Rights Law, the Law of the Sea, Treaty Law, and International Environmental Law. I am also an elected member of the Executive Council of the Viet Nam Society of International Law (VSIL). Throughout my academic career, I have led and participated in numerous research and policy projects addressing the development and implementation of international law in Vietnam, and have published widely in recognized national and international legal journals. My research interests focus on the relationship between international and domestic legal systems, particularly in the protection of human rights, international environmental governance, and the implementation of treaty obligations within Vietnam’s legal framework.
