Green transition, green economic development, and sustainable development are inevitable trends

Attending the workshop were Mr. Le Doan Hop, former Minister of Information and Communications; Mr. Thang Van Phuc, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs; Dr. Le Cong Luong, Deputy Secretary-General and Head of the Department of Science, Technology, and Environment of VUSTA; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Luu Duc Hai, President of the Environmental Economics Association; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Dinh Tho, Director of the Institute of Strategy and Policy on Natural Resources and Environment; Mr. Vu Trung Kien, Director of the Climate Change Resilience Center; Prof. Dr. Hoang Xuan Co, General Secretary of the Vietnam Association of Environmental Economics; Dr. Bui Thi Thanh Huong, Environmental Education Expert at Vietnam National University, Hanoi, and several other experts.

The organizing committee included Assoc. Prof. Dr. Truong Manh Tien, Member of the Presidium of VUSTA and Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Environmental Economics, and Head of the Organizing Committee; Mr. Nguyen Tuong Quan, Vice President in charge of communication of the Vietnam Association of Environmental Economics.

The workshop focused on three main topics: green transition, green energy, and green credit.

Theworkshopwasco-chaired by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Truong Manh Tien, Member of the Presidium of VUSTA, Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Environmental Economics, and Head of the Organizing Committee (far left); Assoc. Prof. Dr. Luu Duc Hai, President of the Vietnam Association of Environmental Economics (center); and Mr. Vu Trung Kien, Director of the Climate Change Resilience Center. (Photo: Thanh Long))

In his speech at the conference, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Truong Manh Tien, Member of the Presidium of VUSTA and Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Environmental Economics, stated: "Achieving the net-zero emissions target by 2050 is a critical issue. The topics of green transition and sustainable development are paramount and deserve the most attention. This is a national commitment, and we have incorporated it into law to achieve this critical objective. Today's workshop, with the participation of many leading experts in environmental issues, representatives from government agencies, scientists, and businesses, hopes to discuss and propose effective solutions to achieve the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, aiming for net-zero emissions by 2050”.  

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Truong Manh Tien, Member of the Presidium of VUSTA and editor-in-chief of the Journal of Environmental Economics, delivered the opening speech at theworkshop. (Photo: Thanh Long)

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Dinh Tho, Director of the Institute of Strategy, Policy on Natural Resources and Environment, affirmed: "Recently, many countries, including Vietnam, have organized numerous events related to combating climate change. These activities are part of the broader theme of World Environment Day, focusing on circular economy models and supply chains, aiming for green transition and natural conservation…

Implementing a circular economy model is a tool for the world to aim for zero emissions; therefore, green transition and green lifestyles are almost mandatory in the new phase. In developed countries, this is codified into law with clear provisions. Therefore, businesses in Vietnam need to adapt to the green transition and environmental protection regulations. I hope today's workshop will propose useful solutions to submit to government agencies for advice on ways to achieve the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions”.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Dinh Tho, Director of the Institute of Strategy, Policy on Natural Resources and Environment (Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment), spoke at the workshop. (Photo: Thanh Long)

During the discussion on solutions to support businesses in green transition, and financial incentives to assist green transition businesses, Mr. Tran Minh Hoang, a sustainable finance expert from the Financial Institutions Department of Vietnam Prosperity Joint Stock Commercial Bank (VP Bank), stated: "The bank has capital resources and support mechanisms, and is ready to accompany businesses to contribute to green transition and sustainable development. However, this support must be specifically appraised and evaluated with clear regulations. The businesses eligible for support must meet the set requirements... Sustainable development, ensuring both economic and environmental benefits, which is an issue that Vietnam has committed to and must undertake".

At the workshop, participants also listened to the opinions of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Luu Duc Hai, President of the Vietnam Association of Environmental Economics, on the topic: Green transition goals towards sustainable development. During his intervention, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Luu Duc Hai shared about the projects and topics that the Vietnam Association of Environmental Economics is currently implementing and the objectives aimed at supporting businesses as well as members of the association in the green transition process.

At this event, Mr. Pham Hoai Trung, Head of the Net-zero Emissions 2025 Climate Change Response Campaign at Azitch, also presented a lecture on Implementing ESG towards sustainable development; Mr. Vu Trung Kien, Director of the Climate Change Resilience Center, exchanged views on Climate, Environmental, and Social Communication Methods by Al Gore; The lecture on Trends in Green Technology Transformation (Using medium voltage inverters, converting to green hydrogen fuel, recovering heat for electricity generation, producing cold using absorption chillers) was presented by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Nguyen Minh, Vietnam Association of Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Science and Technology; And, the opinion presented by MA. architect Tran Thanh Vu - Expert on energy solutions...

Dr. Bui Thi Thanh Huong, Environmental Education Expert at the Interdisciplinary Education Department, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, also delivered a lecture on the topic: The importance, significance, and purpose of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Overview of greenhouse gas accounting. Guidelines for greenhouse gas accounting for businesses.

Dr. Bui Thi Thanh Huongshared her opinionsatthe workshop

In his concluding remarks, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Truong Manh Tien, Head of the Organizing Committee, highly appreciated the presentations and contributions of the experts and scientists. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Truong Manh Tien affirmed that climate change has impacted all aspects such as the economy, politics, diplomacy, and global security, and has become the greatest challenge that humanity has to face. To cope with the global climate crisis, countries from all over the world are making comprehensive efforts to implement green transition. The process of green transition towards sustainable development is seen as an existential goal, an inevitable trend that cannot be reversed in the world's development process.

Currently, Vietnam, along with many other countries, is vigorously transitioning to a "green" economy with a focus on circular economy, energy transition, low carbon emissions, ensuring green growth, and sustainable development.

"I would like to reiterate that we only have one Earth. Therefore, it is extremely necessary and urgent to join hands in protecting the environment and the Earth. In this regard, environmental ethics are crucial values that we always aim for. Thank you all for the contributions of the experts and guests at the workshop," emphasized Assoc. Prof. Dr. Truong Manh Tien.

Some images were captured by the reporters of the Environmental Economics Magazine at the workshop.

The workshop attracted a large number of experts and journalists interested in sustainable development.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Luu Duc Hai - President of the Vietnam Association of Environmental Economicsdelivered a speechat the workshop. (Photo: Thanh Long)

Mr. Pham Hoai Trung - Head of the Net to Zero 2050 campaign.

Mr. Tran Minh Hoang, representative of VPBankdelivered a speechat the workshop.

Mr. Vu Trung Kien - Director of the Climate Change Resilience Centerpresentedhis lecture at the workshop. (Photo: Thanh Long)