Building net zero Can Gio by 2030

According to Mr. Tran Minh Hung, Editor-in-Chief of the Saigon Times Group, Vietnam's economy in 2023 will continue to face difficulties due to the impact of the global economic recession, geopolitical tensions, and the risks of the energy crisis and global food insecurity.

In that context, developing a green economy and a circular economy is the choice of Vietnam on the path towards sustainable development to ensure the quality of people's lives along with economic growth.

At the COP26 conference, Vietnam also committed to bringing net emissions to zero by 2050. "It is not an easy responsibility because the Government, businesses, and people all still have to do a lot of work," said Mr. Tran Minh Hung.

Reducing emissions, greening the production and business environment, and developing sustainable technologies are the future trends. Many businesses and economies around the world, including Vietnam, are aiming for Net Zero.

Speaking at the forum, the Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Phan Van Mai said that in the nation’s goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050, Ho Chi Minh City (HCM City) is committed to being a pioneering unit in implementing this goal. Therefore, HCM City determines that green transition and sustainable development will be the main trends in the coming time.

In fact, the City has issued ideas and plans on green economic development, circular economy, energy transition, sustainable urban development, and other related majors.

Currently, the City is in the process of updating its strategy and planning, especially building stronger green transition policies and institutions toward more clearly sustainable development. In which the City focuses on perfecting the green infrastructure system, building green human resources, and completing the mechanisms to promote international cooperation and public-private partnerships for green transition and sustainable development faster and in the right direction.

Therefore, the Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee wishes to receive the companionship and support of experts, domestic and foreign organizations, businesses, investors, and especially the people in the city.

According to Chairman Phan Van Mai, in the nation’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, HCM City chose Can Gio as a pilot unit first and is urgently developing a plan called "Can Gio with zero emissions by 2030".

In particular, the City focuses on transforming road and waterway vehicles in the area to use friendly fuel, using clean energy, treating waste with advanced technology, and evaluating and piloting carbon credit transactions in Can Gio.

"The City will allocate adequate resources to the process of green transition and sustainable development to jointly participate in the nation’s effort to achieve the goal of Net Zero by 2050,” said Chairman Phan Van Mai.

According to the analysis of experts, the race toward Net Zero is both a responsibility and an opportunity for businesses. Businesses with soon commitment will enjoy the advantages of being pioneers, positioning the brand in the face of consumers’ changing trends, new technologies, and new markets.

The active participation of the business community, especially the private sector and consumers, is expected to create a sustainable foundation for green growth.

At the forum, experts, managers, and businesses gave suggestions and solutions and jointly discussed the challenges and opportunities of participating in the Net Zero process and the green economic journey in the trend of overcoming the recession and developing stably and sustainably.

Mr. Lâm Tố Trinh, Deputy General Director of Innovation and Business Development at NS BlueScope Vietnam, said businesses that want to enter the global market must develop specific carbon emission reduction plans.

“The government should establish legal frameworks and policy systems to encourage the participation of all parties in the green economy and create guidelines to attract all kinds of stakeholders in production, business, and finance,” he said.

Mr. Tan Boon Thor, Director of Commercial Real Estate and Design Management at Frasers Property Vietnam, said businesses need to take concrete action to achieve their Net Zero goals. He suggested implementing emission reduction schemes, adopting energy-saving technologies, and raising awareness of net zero throughout management, suppliers, and workers.