HÀ NỘI  The Art for Climate Festival is taking place for the first time in Hạ Long City in the northern province of Quảng Ninh, representing a unique convergence of artistic expression and environmental actions.

This event not only seeks to raise awareness about climate change, but also celebrates and promotes the cultural heritage of Hạ Long Bay, one of the world’s greatest natural wonders.

A series of over 20 art and environmental protection activities will be held from now until June, primarily in Hạ Long City. They include exhibitions of paintings and photographs by Vietnamese and international artists, auctions of artworks to raise funds for environmental protection and heritage conservation, and a 'University Activation' initiative focused on raising environmental preservation.

Seminars with the theme 'Art For Climate' aimed at raising awareness about the responsibility of protecting the environment, will be held alongside the exhibitions.

Additionally, there will be a competition for inventing tools and machinery for recycling waste, as well as specialised scientific workshops focused on global climate change.

An investment promotion conference for Quảng Ninh Province in 2025 will also take place, along with beach clean-ups, places where you can exchange recyclable waste for gifts and a tree planting campaign with the bold aim of creating what organisers call 'billionaire gardens'.

Vũ Minh Lý, deputy director of the Centre for Resource and Environmental Communications, said nearly 150 countries have committed to achieving net-zero emissions at the 26th United Nations Climate Change conference (COP 26) including Việt Nam, with environmental actions backed with the strong commitment of Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính.

After the conference, the PM approved a proposal outlining the tasks and solutions for implementing the outcomes of COP26. He also approved the national strategy on climate change and established an overall roadmap to realise the committed climate goals.

To address this issue, the Vietnamese government has enacted a legal framework to implement these solutions in a coordinated manner.

However, to achieve this ambitious goal, organisations and businesses play a key role as the main implementers, guided by the state's leadership.

"We must systematically orient various solutions, promote the carbon market, transition to green technology models and foster a circular economy, as well as mobilise international resources to accelerate this process," Lý said.

"We believe that the support and collaborative actions of domestic and international businesses and partners will inspire young people and the community to actively participate in activities within the programme, contributing to the reduction of environmental pollution.” VNS