Vietnam is determined to meet its commitment of a net-zero emission target by 2050 and support global health security priorities, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh told two United Nations summits in New York, the U.S., on Wednesday. The Vietnamese leader kicked off his first activities at the United Nations headquarters by attending two summits on climate change response and preparations for future pandemics, as part of his seven-day trip to the U.S. for the high-level General Debate of the 78th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session and other activities. Cutting emissions by 43.5 percent by 2030 Speaking at the UN Climate Ambition Summit, where leaders of countries and international organizations expressed their concern about the severe impacts of climate change, PM Chinh stressed that addressing climate change impacts requires a global and all-people approach, with more urgent and stronger actions. The PM proposed accelerating a fair and just green energy transition, … [Read more...] about Vietnam reiterates net-zero emission goal, supports global health priorities
Zero emissions house
PM attends UN climate ambition summit, pandemic preparedness meeting
PM Pham Minh Chinh speaks at the Climate Ambition Summit in New York on September 20. (Photo: VNA) New York (VNA) – Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh joined other world leaders in the Climate Ambition Summit and the UN High-Level Meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response in New York on September 20 (local time), part of the high-level week of the 78th UN General Assembly . Addressing the Climate Ambition Summit, PM Chinh stressed that climate change remains the biggest global challenge directly impacting and taking a heavy toll on economic development, social security, and people’s life safety and health. A global and universal approach with breakthrough, general, comprehensive, and innovative solutions is required for coping with climate change, he opined, calling for faster, stronger, and more responsible actions to minimise the global temperature rise. He proposed a new vision, a new mindset, new determination, and drastic actions be made to secure … [Read more...] about PM attends UN climate ambition summit, pandemic preparedness meeting
Just energy transition requires higher labourers’ skills: Experts
Illustrative image (Source: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Just energy transition is significant in the development of workers' skills, the labour market and employment due to the high requirements of green and sustainable economic development, heard a conference held by the German Embassy in Hanoi on September 20. Dr. Guido Hildner , German Ambassador said that in his country, the number of employees working in occupations requiring green skills increased 56.7% to 5 million between 2012 and 2020. This shows that the energy transition is a complex and demanding process, but also provides great opportunities to the people and the economies. Noting that Vietnam has set a target of net-zero emission by 2050, the diplomat said that Germany has supported Vietnam in employment transition by training Vietnamese workers in the fields of electricity, electronics and roof-top solar power installation. Each year, tens of thousands of students are trained in 11 vocational training … [Read more...] about Just energy transition requires higher labourers’ skills: Experts
Steelmakers must act now in CBAM entry
GHG emissions inventories will cause a considerable challenge for the steel industry, photo Le Toan From October 1, steel companies exporting to the EU must adhere to the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, starting with greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reporting and reduction. At the training for steel manufacturers on GHG accounting and emissions mitigation, held on September 12 by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the Vietnam Steel Association (VSA), experts discussed industrial carbon reduction technologies and provided insights into opportunities and challenges related to carbon trading. As one of the fundamental industries in Vietnam, the steel industry serves as a primary input for various sectors such as construction, shipbuilding, automotive, mechanics, and others. According to information from the VSA, Vietnam exported approximately 8.397 million tonnes of steel last year, representing a 35.85 per cent decrease compared to the same period the … [Read more...] about Steelmakers must act now in CBAM entry
Vietnam’s first local currency sustainability-linked bonds aim to boost economy
As the first local currency SLBs in Vietnam, they aim to help issuers expand their businesses while creating jobs, boosting competitiveness, and supporting the country’s low-carbon growth model. IFC’s investment comprises two elements, with about $100 million to be issued by BIM Land – a tourism and property developer in Vietnam – and approximately $50 million to be issued by Thanh Xuan JSC. Both the issuers are subsidiaries of BIM Group, a multi-sector corporation in Vietnam. The proceeds will be used to develop the Thanh Xuan Valley project in Vinh Phuc province, including an eco-friendly and unique residential community alongside a hotel complex (under the InterContinental brand), as well as other relevant services and infrastructure. IFC’s funding will also help the developers implement water- and energy-saving solutions at two BIM Land hotels – InterContinental and Regent – on Phu Quoc island. An innovative financing tool to support global sustainable development, these … [Read more...] about Vietnam’s first local currency sustainability-linked bonds aim to boost economy
Prime Minister delivers policy speech at Georgetown University
In his speech, Pham Minh Chinh said that such challenges related to population aging, non-traditional security like climate change, epidemics, food, water resources, energy, transnational crime, and cybercrime are developing fiercely, causing serious consequences, while the global economy is facing many headwinds. According to the PM, the world is facing two choices: passively accepting challenges and risks at a very high price, or proactively adapting to, taking advantage of opportunities, solving challenges, and taking peace, stability and development cooperation as goals, the U.N. Charter and international law as the foundation, and dialogue and collaboration as tools. In particular, Vietnam chooses the second choice and hopes its partners also choose it, Pham Minh Chinh stated. Accordingly, Vietnam chooses the basic foundations to develop the country, with the goal of becoming a developing country with modern industry and high average income by 2030, and a developed, … [Read more...] about Prime Minister delivers policy speech at Georgetown University
“Just energy transition partnerships” to help foster Vietnam’s economy, labor market: workshop
A conference for experts from Germany and Vietnam to analyze and discuss the potential of Vietnam’s just energy for local economic and labor growth took place in Hanoi on Wednesday. The “Just Energy Transition = Job Accelerator for Vietnam? German-Vietnamese perspectives on employment and skills needs,” hosted by the German Embassy in Hanoi on Wednesday, attracted nearly 200 delegates and 300 private attendees, according to press release issued by the embassy. “Just energy transition” typically refers to financing mechanisms that allow developed countries to fund clean energy initiatives in fossil fuel-dependent developing countries. Many of those in attendance represented Vietnamese governmental agencies, such as the National Assembly; the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs; the Ministry of Industry and Trade; the Electricity of Vietnam (EVN); the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry; and the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences. Representatives from … [Read more...] about “Just energy transition partnerships” to help foster Vietnam’s economy, labor market: workshop
CBAM may hinder EVFTA advantages for steel industry
Nghiem Xuan Da, chairman of the Vietnam Steel Association (VSA), said, "The CBAM is the latest challenge for Vietnam's steel industry amidst an already tough business climate as it tries to increase exports to Europe under the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA)." The CBAM is the EU's landmark attempt to put a fair price on carbon emissions produced from carbon-intensive goods entering the EU. It aims to encourage cleaner industrial production in non-EU countries. According to the VSA, Vietnamese steel exports to the EU have been on a positive trajectory thanks to the implementation of the EVFTA in August 2020, along with the recent shortfall in steel supply to the EU. Steel exports in the first six months of 2023 reached 1.36 million tonnes, with export turnover reaching about $1 billion, an increase of 1.5 times compared to the same period in 2022. In response to the new policy, Posco Yamato Vina Steel (Py Vina), under South Korea's Posco Group, is researching a new … [Read more...] about CBAM may hinder EVFTA advantages for steel industry
VNU and PwC hold workshop on ESG practices
According to PwC's research, 96 per cent of Vietnamese consumers are willing to pay for products produced by companies with good business ethics, while 68 per cent of the next generation believes that businesses have a responsibility to combat climate change and its related consequences. At a business level, ESG commitment levels are high, with 80 per cent of companies having made ESG commitments or plans to do so soon. Pham Hai Au, director of Business Solutions at PwC Vietnam, noted that ESG is a topic that has attracted significant attention in Vietnam, ranging from press coverage, events, and conferences, to reports, surveys, and research. “Stakeholders have articulated their views on ESG practices, setting increasingly high expectations when implementing sustainable operations and the transparent disclosure of non-financial information,” he said. “ESG practices are seen as a transformative journey that creates long-term value and opens up new opportunities for businesses,” … [Read more...] about VNU and PwC hold workshop on ESG practices