Achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement on limiting climate change, and reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by around 2050 requires scientific evidence to support policy-making. Strategies, actions, and research are needed to reduce emissions.
A workshop on the green and inclusive transition toward sustainable development in developing nations took place in Ho Chi Minh City on March 25, seeking experts' advice for such progress in Vietnam. Participants included policymakers, nationally renowned lecturers, and researchers in environmental economics.
Workshop participants. Photo: Vietnam News Agency
An EfD research fellow, Nguyen Quang, started the workshop by presenting that increasing temperatures, more frequent and severe natural disasters, and unequal climate-change impacts are the overall challenges of green transition plans and actions in Vietnam and the Asian region. In addition, these countries currently contribute half of the global CO2 emissions.
"Vietnam is heavily affected by climate change and has become one of the pioneering countries in Southeast Asia in the green transition," Nguyen Quang said.
“Vietnam has developed many outstanding financial policies concerning taxes, fees, and economic tools to help enterprises establish green production. Many local firms have switched from traditional business models to smarter, more sustainable, environmentally friendly ones.”
Experts and officials discuss the need for research to promote a green transition
Dr. Nguyen The Chinh, from the Environmental Economic Policy Institute, pointed out several existing barriers that make it difficult for companies to implement their green transition, notably a lack of specific regulations on how to identify green businesses, green production processes, and green materials, among others. The expert saw a need to complete the legal framework by adding green production criteria serving different sectors and devise suitable support policies and programs to encourage firms to apply green business models.
Dr. Nguyen The Chinh
Dr. Mai Thanh Dung from the Institute of Strategy and Policy, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment recommended engaging more experts, research institutions, and universities in the environment sector in the research for and building of emissions reduction and environmental protection plans in Vietnam and also in other developing countries.
"Closer participation of environmental and economic researchers is essential in law-making through clear and convincing scientific arguments," Mai Thanh Dung emphasized.
Dr. Mai Thanh Dung
EfD Vietnam Center Director Pham Khanh Nam expressed gratitude for the experts' participation in the workshop, saying that their contributions will be helpful to guide research to support policy for building a net-zero action strategy for Vietnam and countries in the Global South.
Dr. Pham Khanh Nam
By: Nhan Le