Launchpad for net zero goal

Emissions from transportation are one of the primary causes of air pollution in major cities.

The column focuses on reflecting the Party and State’s policies on green growth, energy transition, circular economy, pioneering models, breakthrough technologies, and the challenges and barriers that need to be addressed to reach the target of net-zero emissions. Net Zero Journey aims to provide direction and encourage the collective efforts of society in building a greener and more sustainable Vietnam.

Vietnam is among the Asian nations with a strong commitment to net zero, pledging to reduce emissions by 43.5% by 2030 and achieve full net zero by 2050. To realise this goal, the National Science and Technology Programme for Net Zero (KC.16/24-30) has been launched to contribute scientific and technological research toward overcoming challenges in the country’s emission reduction roadmap.

In line with directives from the government and the prime minister on the implementation of scientific and technological research programmes for achieving net zero in Vietnam, the Ministry of Science and Technology has collaborated with agencies, organisations, and scientists to urgently develop and issue the national-level science and technology programme KC.16/24-30. The programme will align with other ongoing national science and technology programs to collectively drive solutions, particularly in green technology and greenhouse gas emission reduction, thus contributing to Vietnam’s commitments at the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26).

The program focuses on researching, developing, and applying advanced technologies to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It encompasses eight key parts, ranging from policy and mechanism studies supporting the net-zero target to the application of technological advances in industry, transportation, construction, agriculture, environmental management, and energy sectors.

Since its announcement in December 2024, the programme has received over 150 proposals from organisations, individuals, research institutes, universities, and enterprises nationwide. Notably, most proposals concentrate on agriculture and industry, which promote significant emission reduction potential.

This reflects the scientific community’s interest and the ability to leverage foundational research for practical applications. Selected projects will receive funding support and be implemented in collaboration with businesses to refine, commercialise, and expand their applications. Ensuring that science and technology move beyond laboratory research to become real drivers of Vietnam’s Net Zero goal is a crucial factor for effective and sustainable implementation.

The net zero science and technology programme has been facilitated by Resolution 57/NQ-TW (issued by the Politburo on December 22, 2024), which boosts the development of strategic technologies and industries in energy, environment, and biotechnology. This provides important premise to advance technological research in industrial emissions, transportation emission reductions, and, notably, agriculture, which remains one of the most significant but challenging sources of emissions to control.

According to Assoc. Prof. Dr Do Van Manh, Chair of the Net Zero Science and Technology Programme and Director of the Institute of Energy and Environmental Science and Technology, wet rice cultivation is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions in Vietnam. The continuous presence of water on rice fields creates an anaerobic environment, accelerating the decomposition of organic matter and producing methane — a greenhouse gas with a far greater impact than CO2.

Additionally, rice farming relies on chemical fertilisers, which require substantial energy to produce and contribute significantly to atmospheric emissions. The irrigation systems also consume large amounts of energy, further increasing greenhouse gas emissions. After harvest, rice straw is often burned in fields or decomposed using traditional methods, further exacerbating environmental pollution.

To address these issues, the programme proposes breakthrough solutions for reducing agricultural emissions. A key approach is to develop new rice varieties that require less water and fertilisers while maintaining high yields. Furthermore, advanced biotechnology will be applied to process agricultural by-products in an environmentally sustainable manner, thus limiting emissions.

The programme set a target of 80% of its researched technologies, management solutions, and technical processes significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional methods by 2030. Dr Do Van Manh also noted that the research and implementation of solutions on emission reduction must closely align with business realities. He anticipates that some research projects will yield positive results within the first year, delivering concrete solutions and technologies that accurately quantify emission reductions when applied on a large scale.

Many businesses have been proactively adopting emission reduction solutions, particularly those engaged in exports, facing pressure from international green standards. The garment, food, and footwear industries have undergone significant transformations to meet requirements from the EU and developed countries. Large corporations in sectors such as beer, alcohol, beverages, and logistics are also shifting towards green production even though current government regulations mainly focus on emissions accounting rather than mandatory reductions.

However, market-driven changes have prompted businesses to innovate technologies, replace fossil fuels, and enhance production methods for sustainability. Notably, many enterprises have established dedicated research and innovation departments focused on greenhouse gas emissions.

Awareness of sustainable development is no longer just a trend but has become a long-term strategic priority for many businesses. This provides a crucial foundation for technologies developed under the Net Zero Science and Technology Programme to move swiftly from experimentation to practical application in production and business activities. This transition supports emission reductions and contributes to Vietnam’s net-zero objectives.

The involvement of businesses in research and real-world application of technologies is essential for bridging the gap between research and market deployment as well as commercialising advanced technology products. By embracing green technology innovation, enterprises directly reduce emissions from production activities, multi-sector cooperation and spread sustainable culture. This also contributes to raising public awareness and generating economic benefits through the development of environmentally friendly products while playing a pivotal role in achieving Vietnam’s climate change targets.