Emissions of carbon dioxide from oil and gas operations in Vietnam are expected to rise to 42 million tons in 2015, a 3.6-fold increase from 2011, as shown in a latest report by the Vietnam Petroleum Institute. The institute released the report on greenhouse gas emissions after conducting surveys at the industry’s operations from 2010 up to now based on a development strategy of the Vietnam Oil and Gas Group (PetroVietnam) by 2015. Experts attributed the high carbon emission to stable operations of several coal-fired power plants, including Vung Ang thermopower plant No.1 and Nhon Trach plant No.2, as well as Ca Mau fertilizer factory and three biofuel factories. To reduce such emissions from core business of oil and gas industry, experts proposed to mitigate the release of methane (a potent greenhouse gas) and replace with bio-sourced fuel to protect the environment. The energy sector accounts for more than two-thirds of greenhouse gas emissions, so energy has a crucial role to play in tackling climate change, said experts. Under the national strategy on green growth, Vietnam targets to cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 8%-10% by 2020 and energy consumption by 1%-1.5% each year. (Tin Tuc – News June 17 p12)
