Vietnam Reaffirms to Cut down 8% of Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 2030

Vietnam had once again reiterated at an international conference held in Hanoi on Oct 18 that it would cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 8% by 2030 as part of efforts to take on responsibility for lowering carbon dioxide emissions with other countries around the globe amid worsening climate change. The country can possibly save up to 25% by the year with international support, Minister Tran Hong Ha of the Vietnamese Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment said at the event. Vietnam first announced its emission-cutting target last year when it submitted its Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, ahead of the COP21 conference in Paris. According to the INDC report, Vietnam’s average temperature rose by around 0.5% and sea level increased by roughly 20 centimeters over the last 50 years. Vietnam ranks one of hardest-hit countries by climate change. Official data showed that Vietnam’s GHG emissions jumped from 150 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2000 to 200 million in 2010, excluding effects of land use and forestry. Energy-related industries accounted for 53%. Mr. Ha said that from now to 2030, Vietnam will keep applying a number of methods, including green growth strategies to reach the goal. The country will conduct research to form a national carbon trading market, he noted. (Vietnamplus.vn Oct 19, VnExpress.net Oct 20)