Rich nations struggle to agree energy plan with Vietnam before climate summit, say sources

Vietnam is among the world's top 20 consumers of coal, and its carbon emissions are expected to increase exponentially as the country of 100 million people grows quickly, unless it rapidly shifts towards renewables and other less polluting sources of energy. - Reuters

HANOI (Reuters): Rich nations have pledged billions of dollars to help Vietnam cut its coal consumption but are struggling to seal a deal with the South-East Asian country ahead of a global climate summit next week, two sources familiar with the talks said.

Vietnam would be the world's second country to benefit from a commitment by rich nations to provide funds for so-called just energy transition after the United States, European Union, Britain, France and Germany agreed last year to invest US$8.5bil over three to five years in South Africa to help it cut carbon emissions.