[CECAD NEWS] COP26: Vietnam pledges “net-zero” emissions by 2050 at COP26

[CECAD NEWS] COP26: Vietnam pledges “net-zero” emissions by 2050 at COP26

The 2021 United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP26 in Glasgow, UK) has brought great hope to humanity with its commitments to keep the Earth’s temperature rise to no more than 1.5 degrees Celsius and bring global net emissions to zero by 2050. On November 1, 2021, within the framework of COP26, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh highlighted Vietnam’s commitments to reach its net-zero emission target by 2050 and called for fairness and justice in climate change problems. The net-zero emissions commitment by 2050 has drawn much international attention.

Read the full text of the Prime Minister’s speech here.

INTERNATIONAL RESPONSES

The Prime Minister’s speech attracted the attention of international public opinion and media, including an article published by Reuters that headlined Vietnam’s pledge to net-zero emissions. On 2 November, the Kuwait Times reported that “Vietnam takes stronger measures to achieve net-zero emissions” by 2050 On the same day the Financial Times mentioned that Vietnam, along with India and Brazil, were among the countries that set clear and ambitious carbon reduction targets.

The Prime Minister affirmed that responding to climate change and natural recovery must become the top priority in every development policy, and be seen as the highest ethical standard of every sector, business, and person. According to the PM, every action must be based on nature and put people at the center, and consider people as the subject and driving force for sustainable development so that no one is left behind.

OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES for Vietnam after COP26

HOW WILL VIETNAM FULFILL THE COMMITMENTS?

To effectively implement the COP26 commitments, the required actions should be institutionalized and included in the necessary legal documents. For example:

• Enacting a Decree on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and protecting the ozone layer;
• Listing sectors and establishments emitting greenhouse gases that must carry out an inventory of greenhouse gases; or
• Implementing a project to develop a carbon market in Vietnam.

In particular, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment will develop tasks and solutions schemes to carry out the pledges, as well as propose the establishment of a Management Board for monitoring.

However, in order to successfully fulfill the COP26 pledges, Vietnam must continue to raise awareness and willingness at all levels, sectors, localities, organizations, and individuals and remain committed to the transition.

References:

• VnExpress
• SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIET NAM Government News
• Industry and Trade Magazine
• Green Innovation and Development Centre GreenID
• On The Boil Newsletter  https://lnk.bio/bb9N
• COP26 official documents https://ukcop26.org/