To promote green economic development, the Party and State have introduced many guidelines and development directions, including the National Strategy for Green Growth for the period 2011-2020, with a vision to 2050. The strategy affirms: "Green growth is an important component of sustainable development, ensuring rapid, efficient, and sustainable economic growth while making a significant contribution to the implementation of the National Strategy on Climate Change".

The Political Report at the 13th National Congress of the Party emphasized the development orientation for the country during the 2021-2030 period: "Proactively adapt effectively to climate change, prevent, control, and mitigate natural disasters, and epidemics; manage, exploit, use resources rationally, economically, efficiently, and sustainably; prioritize environmental protection and the health of the people; resolutely eliminate projects that cause environmental pollution, ensure the quality of the living environment, protect biodiversity, and ecosystems; build a green economy, a circular economy, and an environmentally friendly economy".

In recent years, the government, ministries, agencies, and localities have issued many legal documents, programs, action plans, and directives on green economic development, sustainable growth, and environmental protection, particularly decisions from the Prime Minister, such as: Decision No. 622/QĐ-TTg dated May 10, 2017, issuing the National Action Plan to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development; Decision No. 1670/QĐ-TTg dated October 31, 2017, approving the National Target Program on Climate Change Response and Green Growth for the period 2016-2020; Decision No. 1658/QĐ-TTg dated October 1, 2021, approving the National Strategy for Green Growth for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050; and Directive No. 13/CT-TTg dated May 2, 2024, on enhancing carbon credit management..

Regarding greenhouse gas emission reduction, the government, Prime Minister, and Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment have issued many documents to guide and require enterprises, organizations, and individuals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, such as Decree No. 06/2022/NĐ-CP dated January 7, 2022, on regulations for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and protecting the ozone layer; Decision No. 01/2022/QĐ-TTg dated January 18, 2022, by the Prime Minister on issuing the list of sectors and facilities that must implement greenhouse gas inventories; Circular No. 01/2022/TT-BTNMT dated January 7, 2022, from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, detailing the implementation of the Environmental Protection Law in response to climate change.

At the COP 26 Climate Conference (held from October 31 to November 13, 2021, in Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom), Vietnam made an impression with its commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, increase the share of renewable energy to over 30% of total primary energy supply, and maintain forest cover at 43%, showing Vietnam’s strong goal of restructuring the growth model towards sustainable green economic development..

The practical situation in Thai Nguyen province regarding green economic development

At the Resolution of the 20th Provincial Party Congress for the term 2020-2025, Thai Nguyen province has set forth tasks and solutions for socio-economic development associated with green economic development, environmental protection, and sustainable development of the province, such as:

  • Focusing on concretizing the Party's guidelines and policies in building mechanisms and policies to ensure rapid and sustainable development, shifting the economic structure associated with innovation in the growth model, and promoting regional linkages;
  • Focusing on developing the provincial planning for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050, in accordance with the national master plan, the planning of the Northeastern Midland and Mountain region, and the planning of Thai Nguyen's urban system, which aims for a reasonable distribution among regions and convenient connections with the urban system of the Northern Delta; combining modern and traditional elements, being environmentally friendly, leading innovation, and acting as a growth engine.
  • Building special mechanisms and policies to attract resources and investors to the province, prioritizing investment in industrial zones and clusters with the province's potential industries such as: electricity, electronics, mechanical engineering, mineral processing, and agricultural and forestry products, ensuring environmental control and protection.
  • Taking advantage of the opportunities and outcomes of the Fourth Industrial Revolution; shifting the industrial structure towards prioritizing industries and products that apply advanced technology with high added value, and promoting clean industries.
  • Developing the construction industry to design and construct works in various fields as required by the country's socio-economic development. Implementing policies to attract investment in modernizing the construction industry, using new materials, saving energy, and applying modern construction technologies.
  • Producing safe, organic agriculture, applying advanced technologies; developing the forestry economy associated with sustainable forest management, with a focus on growing large timber forests and medicinal plants.
  • Renewing investment promotion, trade, and services; diversifying investment attraction methods, prioritizing projects with large investment scales, advanced and modern technologies, environmentally friendly production, and investors with strong potential and long-term investment strategies, creating spillover effects.

Implementing Decision No. 1658/QD-TTg dated October 1, 2021, by the Prime Minister approving the National Strategy on Green Growth for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050; and Decision No. 882/QD-TTg dated July 22, 2022, by the Prime Minister approving the National Action Plan on Green Growth for the period 2021-2030, the People's Committee of Thai Nguyen Province issued the Provincial Green Growth Action Plan for the period 2021-2030 under Decision No. 1718/QD-UBND dated July 21, 2023.

The Thai Nguyen Green Growth Action Plan has concretized the viewpoints, objectives, orientations, and solutions for implementing Decision No. 1658/QD-TTg dated October 1, 2021, and Decision No. 882/QD-TTg dated July 22, 2022, by the Prime Minister. It fosters high consensus and agreement in awareness and actions among all levels of government, organizations, and people in the province, contributing to the nation's successful implementation of the tasks outlined in the Strategy and National Action Plan..

The plan sets out the key goals, tasks, and solutions of the province, closely linked with the guidelines, orientations, objectives, and solutions for socio-economic development outlined in Resolution No. 11-NQ/TW dated February 10, 2022, by the Politburo on the development orientation for the Northern Midlands and Mountainous Region up to 2030, with a vision to 2045; Decision No. 222/QD-TTg dated March 14, 2023, by the Prime Minister approving the Thai Nguyen Province Planning for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050; the Resolution of the 20th Congress of the Provincial Party Committee for the term 2020-2025; the 5-year socio-economic development plan for 2021-2025; and the main tasks and solutions in the Government's Action Program.

To enhance the implementation of regulations on greenhouse gas emission reduction, climate change adaptation, and ozone layer protection, the Chairman of the Thai Nguyen Provincial People's Committee issued Official Document No. 2027/UBND-CNN&XD on April 24, 2024, and Official Document No. 2270/UBND-CNN&XD on May 9, 2024. These directives instruct the Department of Natural Resources and Environment and other relevant departments, agencies, localities, and units to intensify climate change adaptation activities in the province. They are to implement solutions for monitoring and evaluating climate change adaptation activities within their management scope as stipulated in Clause 4, Article 90 of the Law on Environmental Protection. Additionally, they are to inspect the implementation of activities related to greenhouse gas emission reduction within their management scope as per Clause 6, Article 91 of the Law on Environmental Protection. They must also enforce measures to control the production, export, and import of ozone-depleting substances and greenhouse gases according to Clause 4, Article 92 of the Law on Environmental Protection, in alignment with Directive No. 13/CT-TTg dated May 2, 2024, by the Prime Minister on strengthening carbon credit management.

Earlier, since 2012, the Thai Nguyen Provincial People's Committee had already issued a climate change action plan under Decision No. 1013/QD-UBND on May 18, 2012. The climate change action plan for waterworks in the province was approved under Decision No. 2643/QD-UBND on November 17, 2024. Additionally, the climate change action plan for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050, was outlined in Decision No. 4229/QD-UBND on December 31, 2020.

Regarding the promotion of urban greenery development in the province, on June 17, 2021, the Chairman of the Thai Nguyen Provincial People's Committee issued Directive No. 13/CT-UBND on the management and promotion of urban greenery development. Official Document No. 1462/UBND-CNN&XD dated April 6, 2023, was also issued to strengthen the management and investment in the construction of parks and green spaces in urban areas and residential projects within Thai Nguyen province.

Green Growth Goals for Thai Nguyen Province by 2030

Building on the achievements of the 2011-2020 Strategy and the perspectives outlined in the National Green Growth Strategy for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision to 2050, as well as the tasks set forth in the National Green Growth Action Plan for 2021-2030, Thai Nguyen Province has established its objectives for implementing the Green Growth Action Plan for 2021-2030. The goal is to ensure that "Green growth contributes to restructuring the economy in conjunction with innovating the growth model, aiming to achieve economic prosperity, environmental sustainability, and social equity in Thai Nguyen Province. This is in pursuit of a green economy, carbon neutrality, and contributing to the global objective of limiting temperature rise".

Specific Goals:

  1. Greening Economic Sectors:

    2. Transforming the growth model through the efficient and sustainable exploitation and use of natural resources and energy, based on scientific and technological advancements, digital technology application, and digital transformation.Developing sustainable infrastructure to enhance growth quality, leverage competitive advantages, and minimize negative environmental impacts.

    Main goals by 2030: Reduce primary energy consumption per GRDP by 1.0 - 1.5% per year during 2021 - 2030; increase the share of renewable energy in total primary energy supply to 15 - 20%; digital economy to account for over 30% of GRDP; maintain forest coverage rate at 46% or higher; at least 30% of irrigated upland crops to use advanced, water-saving irrigation methods.

  2. Greening Lifestyles and Promoting Sustainable Consumption:

    3. Fostering a green lifestyle combined with traditional cultural values to create a high-quality life in harmony with nature and environmental protection. Implementing urbanization and building new rural areas that meet green and sustainable growth objectives.

    Main goals by 2030: Ensure 95% of urban solid waste is collected and treated according to standards and regulations; 90-95% of urban wastewater to be collected and treated in compliance with standards and regulations; at least 35% of public procurement to be green procurement; effectively implement green growth urban development tasks towards smart, sustainable development in line with the Thái Nguyên provincial planning for 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050 approved by the Prime Minister.

  3. Greening the Transition on Principles of Equity, Inclusiveness, and Resilience:

    4. Enhancing the quality of life and resilience of people to climate change, ensuring equitable conditions and opportunities for capacity development and sharing the benefits of development, leaving no one behind in the green transition process.

    Main goals by 2030: Achieve a Human Development Index (HDI) of over 0.75 (high level); effectively implement the provincial air quality management plan; ensure 100% of the population has access to clean water meeting the standards set by the Ministry of Health.

Proposals for Green Economic Development

To comprehensively develop a green economy aligned with sustainable national development, achieving both economic growth and ensuring social welfare, environmental protection, and ecosystem preservation for the future, Thái Nguyên province proposes the following solutions:

Firstly, environmental policies need to be adjusted to suit the new context. The resource tax and en.vironmental protection tax systems should be further researched, adjusted, and improved. There should be regulations ensuring that products labeled "Made in Vietnam" comply with environmental and climate standards. Additionally, organizing seminars and scientific forums to exchange knowledge and experiences on green economic development should be strengthened.

Secondly, effectively implement Directive No. 13/CT-TTg dated May 2, 2024, by the Prime Minister on enhancing the management of carbon credits to fulfill the nationally determined contributions (NDC). Business owners should proactively research carbon credits and the carbon market based on their industries to participate in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and protecting the atmosphere.

Thirdly, accelerate the adoption of carbon tax policies in the context of green economic development. In Vietnam, the carbon tax is a relatively new concept and an essential tool in a circular economy. Imposing a carbon tax is an effective solution to reduce CO2 emissions in each country. Moreover, collecting carbon taxes contributes additional revenue to the state budget, which the government can reinvest in environmental protection and quality enhancement, ensuring green growth goals and reducing greenhouse gas emissions and CO2 emissions.

Fourthly, there should be a shift in mindset regarding environmental protection, embedding environmental responsibility into every action and behavior. Early environmental education is crucial, fostering practical actions in ecosystem restoration, biodiversity conservation, and climate change mitigation. These efforts contribute to enhancing the effectiveness of the strategies, programs, and action plans set forth by the government.

Carbon Credits

- A carbon credit is a certification used for commercial transactions that represents the right to emit a specific amount of greenhouse gases, specifically carbon dioxide (CO2). It corresponds to the permission to release one ton of CO2 or an equivalent amount of another greenhouse gas into the atmosphere.

- A carbon credit is a tradable license or certificate that grants the holder the right to emit one ton of carbon dioxide or an equivalent amount of another greenhouse gas. The primary goal of creating carbon credits is to reduce the emission of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases from industrial activities, thereby mitigating the impact of global warming.

- A carbon credit serves as a certification for commercial transactions, symbolizing the right to emit a certain amount of greenhouse gases, particularly CO2.

Source: THE CENTRAL PROPAGANDA DEPARTMENT - Central Agency of the Communist Party of Vietnam.