Vietnam commits to reducing GHG emissions in transport sector

Vietnam has committed to reducing its total GHG emissions by 9% compared to the Business-as-usual (BAU) scenario, said Deputy Minister of Transport (MoT) Le Anh Tuan on March 15.

Speaking at a ceremony to kick off a project on reducing GHG emissions in Vietnam’s transport sector, Tuan said the figure is expected to be 27% with international support received through bilateral and multilateral cooperation, as well as through the implementation of new mechanisms under the Paris Agreement.

Minister of Transport Le Anh Tuan addresses the launching ceremony. Photo: Anh Kiet

The project is expected to run until the end of December 2023, with funding sourced from EUR 4,000,000 (US$4.8 million) in non-refundable ODA provided by the German Federal Government and an in-kind contribution of EUR 400,000 ($477,542) from Vietnam through human resources and facilities provided by the MoT.

German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) will be in charge of managing and disbursing the fund.

Tuan revealed that last September 2020, Vietnam was one of the first 20 countries to submit its updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Secretariat, adding that compared to the first NDC submitted in 2015, the mitigation contribution of the updated NDC has increased in terms of both volume and percentage.

Project “Support the MoT to implement Vietnam’s NDC under the framework of the NDC Transport Initiative for Asia” aims to enhance capacity building, legal framework and management tools to promote the low carbon development and GHG emissions reduction in transportation, contributing to implementing Vietnam’s NDC under the Paris Agreement on climate change.

First Secretary/Deputy Head of Development Cooperation at the German Embassy Helene Paust speaks at the meeting. Photo: Anh Kiet

It will provide the MoT with technical support to build mechanisms, policies and a roadmap on e-mobility development at national and city levels, promoting the introduction and sustainable development of advanced, modern and zero-emissions electric vehicles in Vietnam.

Helene Paust, first secretary/deputy head of Development Cooperation at the German Embassy, said with its 2020 NDC, Vietnam has shown its intention to mitigate impacts of climate change.

“I wish the project will succeed as it works to strengthen the policy framework for low-carbon development and reduce GHG emissions in transport, which together will make a significant contribution to Vietnam’s ambitious NDC,” Helene said.

“For our climate, transport decarbonisation is key. Today, mobility contributes an 18% share to the total GHG emissions of Vietnam. It is among the few sectors that are steadily emitting more and more every year,” Helene added.

Director of MOT’s Department of Environment Tran Anh Duong concludes the meeting. Photo: Anh Kiet

Director of MOT’s Department of Environment Tran Anh Duong told Hanoitimes that the project is of great importance to the Vietnamese government. It acts as the basis for the lead executing agency to mobilize the resources from relevant agencies and units in a joint effort to develop the detailed implementation plan on a yearly basis, organize the implementation as well as conducting project monitoring and evaluation.

He added the MoT is making all effort for environmental protection in accordance with the transport law, international conventions and resolutions and action programs on environmental protection.

“Transport is one of the causes of air pollution, thus, in the long run, Vietnam needs to promulgate the Clean Air Law which will serve as a comprehensive legal framework to protect the environment,” Duong said.