The forum is aimed at encouraging the business sector to commit to dealing with climate change challenges in the Mekong Delta region, said the German Embassy.

In order to tackle the challenges, the WWF and the German Embassy asked businesses to reduce their consumption of energy to achieve sustainability in their operation. The organizations hope to gain more businesses’ involvement in ameliorating the environmental impact on the region.

At the launch ceremony, members of the forum shared experiences with environmentally-friendly initiatives, sustainability, and the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions, and discussed action plans with the assistance of climatology experts.

Dr. Henning Plate, Development Counsellor of the German Embassy said climate change is the main concern of Germany’s foreign policy while Vietnam is among the countries most seriously affected by the arratic weather pattern.

By launching and sponsoring the forum, the German Embassy wishes to encourage private businesses to take a leading role in reducing the risks and the costs of climate change, he said.

Hoang Viet, WWF Vietnam’s coordinator, said rising sea levels, salt infiltration, and current changes of the Mekong River may have a negative impact on the lives of 18 million residents in the Mekong Delta region.

“We are calling on the business sector to participate in the struggle against this phenomenon,” he said.

Businesses taking part in this forum will be able to engage in various activities on environmental education and join WWF initiatives to reduce the impact of climate change such as the Earth Hour, Green Office, Climate Protection, Climate Camp, and the Forum for the Preservation of Mekong Delta.