The Mekong delta - between growth and literal decline
The Mekong Delta, one of the regions in the world that is most vulnerable to climate change, is sinking even faster than the rising sea level. Why and how can this be counteracted?
The Mekong Delta, located in Vietnam, is home to about 17 million people while also being a treasure trove of biodiversity. The Delta lies less than 1 m above sea level on average and is threatened by the rising sea level, which is unfortunately more than that caused by climate change. In the past, the Delta, as is typical for alluvial land, expanded as the branching Mekong carried enough sediment. However, this sediment has decreased because of expansions to hydropower in the river’s upper reaches and the harvesting of sand and gravel for the booming construction sector. The land is sinking and collapsing riverbanks have toppled roads, houses and fields into the river, causing significant socio-economic damage: the delta is caught up between growth and literal decline.
Why is sand harvesting threatening the Mekong Delta, what are the alternatives and how can policy be used to drive change? These were the questions discussed at the International Climate Initiative Brown Bag Lunch (IKI BBL) event on 4 July 2023.
Sustainable Sand management in the Mekong Delta
With the IKI-funded ‘Drifting Sands’ project, the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) is working with partners in government and the construction sector in Vietnam to achieve a transition to sustainable sand management in the Mekong Delta. A sand budget and a geomorphological plan aim to create clarity about the volume and areas of sand that can still be sustainably harvested. Studies and stakeholder engagement will be used to improve sand management regulation and practice. Round tables are planned to promote awareness and transparency in the construction sector about alternative materials to use in place of sand.
The initial results from the project, which were presented at the IKI BBL, include the world’s first sand budget at the scale of a major delta with the aim of supporting evidence-based sand approvals. The project has also drafted an international overview of regulations for sand harvesting and created an inventory of alternative building materials that could replace river sand in the construction sector. The Vietnam Green Building Council is planning to include reduced sand consumption as part of its LOTUS certification system for green buildings.
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