Energy-related Carbon Dioxide in Vietnam Rises 10% Annually: ECN

Vietnam’s energy-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions rise by an average 10% annually due to rising demand for energy which grows between 12% and 15% yearly, according to the Economist Corporate Network (ECN), the Economist Group’s advisory service for organizational leaders. The report, named “ASEAN in a climate of change: spotlight on sustainable energy in Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam” and released last week, said that Vietnam’s emissions have been rising at a robust rate over the last decade. Last year, the country emitted 166.3 million tons of carbon dioxide, with total per capita emissions of 1.8 tons, statistics released at the event. To cope with the situation and implement its commitments to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 8% by 2025 as made at the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP21), Vietnam needs to limit coal-fired power and encourages the private sector’s investment in renewable energy, experts said at a Siemens-supported conference held in Hanoi late last month. Vietnam needs to change existing policies by offering investment incentives to renewable energy without focusing on the development of coal-fired power currently, according to Andrew Staple, director for Southeast Asia under the ECN. “The best ways for Vietnam to limit its emissions and accomplish its international commitment to reduce its greenhouse gas (GHG) is to limit the development of coal-fired power sources and create attractive renewable energy policies for private investors,” Mr. Staple said at the event. (Thoi Bao Kinh Te Viet Nam – Vietnam Economic Times Oct 11 p4)