MoIT implements climate policies to fulfill COP26 commitments

The Ministry of Industry and Trade, USAID, and the Da Nang People’s Committee hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the inauguration of a battery swapping station for two-wheeled electric vehicles

The Politburo’s Resolution 24-NQ/TW, one of the key policies on GHG reduction, has been in place since 2013. Over the past decade, the energy sector, which contributes the highest proportion of GHG emissions, has undertaken various activities to improve energy efficiency, reduce transmission losses, and significantly develop renewable energy, all contributing to GHG emission reductions.

According to the National Climate Change Strategy for 2050 and the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) for 2022, the GHG emissions scenario for the energy sector is projected to reach 678.4 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent by 2030, accounting for 73 percent of the nation’s total emissions, and up to 1210.3 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent by 2050, representing 79.7 percent of total national emissions.

To achieve these targets, the MoIT, in alignment with the Party’s policies and the Government’s and Prime Minister’s directives on sustainable energy development and climate change adaptation, has issued and implemented various plans, schemes, and programs to reduce GHG emissions. These include the National Program on Energy Efficiency; regulations on energy consumption standards and development of biofuels such as E5 ethanol; support policies for renewable energy development; and the Action Plan to implement Vietnam’s commitments at COP26.

Notably, the industry and trade sector’s action plan for climate change response and green growth to 2030, with a vision to 2050, has identified climate change response as a crucial task. It emphasizes adaptation to climate change as a major and long-term mission, and achieving the goal of net-zero emissions is seen as an opportunity for low-carbon development in line with national conditions and international trends.

On September 30, 2024, the MoIT issued a plan to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions in the energy sector and industrial processes under the Ministry’s management. In this plan, the MoIT proposed specific measures and solutions aimed at promoting energy conservation and efficiency, utilizing alternative technologies and chemicals, and transitioning to cleaner energy sources, ensuring green development and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The MoIT has also issued Decision 2520/QD-BCT dated October 2, 2023, regarding the establishment of a Technology and Energy Group to support the implementation of the political declaration on establishing a Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP).

Based on the results of discussions with international partners, the MoIT has identified a list of 27 priority projects for JETP implementation starting in 2024 and has sent a document to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment for consolidation.

The MoIT has also developed a plan to implement the Global Coal to Clean Power Transition Statement. At the same time, for the Draft Electricity Law (amended), the Electricity and Renewable Energy Authority has adhered to six policies that have been approved by the Government and submitted them to the National Assembly Standing Committee, as well as submitted to the Government regulations encouraging the development of distributed/rooftop solar power projects.