Green transformation and green growth to adapt to climate change

Harmonizing economic development and environmental protection

Green growth is the process of restructuring economic activities and promoting economic growth in harmony with the goals of environmental sustainability and social justice.

In the trend of green transformation and green growth in the world and the region and implementing the Government's commitment, Ha Tinh province is one of the localities soon issuing a provincial green growth action plan. Accordingly, on April 2, 2024, the Provincial People's Committee issued Decision No. 778/QD-UBND approving the Green Growth Action Plan until 2030, clearly stating the main goals, tasks, solutions, and assigning responsibilities to implementing agencies and units.

In the Provincial Plan for the 2021–2030 period, with a vision to 2050, Ha Tinh also identifies economic development towards green and sustainable growth as a long-term strategic goal with the main viewpoint: "Socio-economic development of Ha Tinh in a green and sustainable direction, with people as the center, science and technology as the foundation, and the driving force for development. Make the best use of the opportunities of Revolution 4.0."

To realize the above goal, the Ha Tinh Provincial Party Committee, in coordination with the Ha Tinh Sustainable Development Consulting Group in Hanoi (under the Ha Tinh Compatriots Association in Hanoi) and the Vietnam Institute of Economics, has successfully organized a scientific conference: "Ha Tinh green transformation and green growth for sustainable, prosperous, and safe development in the new context."

The conference had the participation of more than 200 guests who are experts, scientists, managers, policy planners and implementers at central and local levels, as well as delegates from research institutes, universities, associations, banks, businesses, and management agencies. Delegates jointly discussed limitations and bottlenecks in mechanisms and policies that need to be resolved in localizing national strategies and plans on green growth. At the same time, correctly identify the root causes of current local limitations and inadequacies. On that basis, propose solutions to overcome problems and take advantage of opportunities to make strong transformation policies in the process of greening Ha Tinh's economy.

Climate change adaptation

In the report titled "Green growth, green transformation to create space for sustainable, prosperous, and safe development: The trend of the world, Vietnam, and Ha Tinh province," Dr. Mai Trong Nhuan, former Director of Vietnam National University, Hanoi, and Head of the Sustainable Development Consulting Group in Hanoi, informed about the trend of building and implementing the green growth strategy in the world; mechanisms and policies to promote green growth and green transformation in the national and local socio-economic development strategies in Vietnam; and contributions and potentials of the green economy in localities.

According to Dr. Nhuan, as of the end of 2023, 46 provinces and cities directly under the Central Government have developed and implemented green growth action plans at the provincial and city levels. Green economic activities in Vietnam generated more than USD 7.2 billion in 2021 (accounting for about 2% of total GDP). With the strong growth rate of the green economy, Vietnam has had positive impacts on social factors, especially in creating green jobs. In 2021 alone, the green economy created over 500,000 green jobs.

"The learning experience to create success in the green growth strategy is to build clear and detailed strategies and plans; develop a synchronous legal framework system with appropriate preferential and support policy mechanisms for green growth; early implement pilot green projects, especially in new technology sectors and fields; and build plans to mobilize and manage investment and financial resources for comprehensive green growth," Mr. Mai Trong Nhuan emphasized.

Dr. Le Anh Tuan, Chairman of the University Council of Hanoi University of Science and Technology, said that it is necessary to plan and build a land fund for renewable energy, including land planning for biomass and fuel crops; maximize electrification of energy-using vehicles and equipment; and move towards eliminating coal in new technology lines and equipment.

Experts also discussed and suggested issues and solutions to promote green transformation, green growth, and sustainable development, such as building green economy and circular economy models in the trend of adapting to climate change; taking advantage of water resources; and developing tourism models associated with eco-tourism and cultural roots. Proposing a circular economy model in rural domestic wastewater management. Analyzing the factors that need to terminate the Thach Khe mine mining, ore dressing, and steel processing project for Ha Tinh to have green transformation, green growth, and sustainable and safe development. Promoting innovation in businesses and cooperatives towards green transformation; and upgrading the provincial green index.

Speaking at the conference, Mr. Hoang Trung Dung, Secretary of the Ha Tinh Provincial Party Committee, affirmed the importance of green growth and sustainable development and emphasized that this is the content that must be done.

According to Mr. Hoang Trung Dung, in recent times, the drastic participation of local governments at all levels has initially brought the "revolution" of green economic development to achieve certain successes. For example, developing high-tech industry and green industry; attracting renewable energy projects (solar energy, small hydropower); marine and ecological tourism; ecological, organic, circular agriculture; and preserving natural forests, ecosystems, and afforestation, etc.

"However, these results are not really outstanding. Therefore, the entire political system needs to always be aware that a green economy, a circular economy, and a low-carbon economy are the paths to sustainable development for the country without sacrificing the environment for economic growth," said the Secretary of the Ha Tinh Provincial Party Committee.

At the same time, continue to raise awareness about the role of green growth through actions such as planting and protecting trees; classifying and treating waste; ensuring food hygiene and safety; using eco-friendly products, etc. Continue to attract investment in clean projects, strictly complying with laws on environmental protection. Continue to perfect the system of mechanisms and policies to create breakthroughs for the green transformation process, sustainable exploitation, and management of natural resources and geology, serving the goal of green growth. Pay special attention to training and developing human resources; and mobilize resources for green growth.

In order to promote green growth and green development for sustainable development, Ha Tinh's goals in the coming period include: transforming the growth model towards greening economic sectors; applying a circular economy model through the economical and efficient exploitation and use of natural resources and energy based on science and technology; applying digital technology, digital transformation, and developing sustainable infrastructure to improve growth quality, promote competitive advantage, and minimize negative impacts on the environment.

Building a green lifestyle combined with a beautiful traditional lifestyle to create a high-quality life in harmony with nature. Implementing urbanization and building new rural areas to ensure green and sustainable growth goals. Improving people's quality of life and resilience to climate change, ensuring equality in conditions and opportunities to develop their abilities and enjoy the fruits of development, and leaving no one behind in the green transformation process.