Chairman of Hai Duong Provincial People's Committee Le Ngoc Chau: Equitable energy transition opens up a new, sustainable growth model

At the seminar with the theme "Fair energy transition", Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Le Ngoc Chau emphasized that fair energy transition opens up a new, sustainable growth model.

The seminar with the theme "Fair Energy Transition" at the Provincial Political School, organized by the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics in coordination with the Provincial Party Standing Committee.

This is the first time the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics has organized a discussion on this issue. Hai Duong is the second province after Hung Yen to organize the discussion.

Attending the discussion were comrades: Le Ngoc Chau, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; Associate Professor, Dr. Duong Trung Y, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics; Nguyen Quang Phuc, Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee, Head of the Provincial Party Committee's Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Department; Dr. Nguyen Thi Nhat Thu, Principal of the Provincial Political School.

Also attending were representatives of the Institute of Leadership and Public Administration, the Department of International Cooperation (Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics), UNDP Vietnam, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment; leaders of a number of relevant departments, agencies and sectors of the province.

"Fair energy transition" is the first issue discussed by the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, Hai Duong is the second locality to organize it.

A just energy transition opens up a new, sustainable growth model

“Just energy transition” is a term that describes the process of shifting from using fossil fuels to clean energy, contributing to the formation of a low-carbon, environmentally sustainable economy.

The main goal of this process is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change, but also focuses on protecting workers, communities and vulnerable populations.

Speaking at the seminar, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Le Ngoc Chau emphasized that Vietnam is entering a period of development with strong transformation. Currently, economic development is no longer limited to growth rate, but requires close connection with the requirements of environmental protection, ensuring social justice, aiming for a safe, prosperous and sustainable future for all people, leaving no one behind.

In response to that requirement, Hai Duong province identified green development, energy transition, especially equitable energy transition as fundamental development orientations, opening up opportunities to shape a new, sustainable, and more responsible growth model for the future.

Associate Professor, Dr. Duong Trung Y, Deputy Director of Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, spoke at the seminar.

To specify this orientation, on September 23, 2022, the People's Committee of Hai Duong province issued Plan No. 165/KH - UBND on implementing the National Program on economical and efficient use of energy for the period 2022 - 2025.

The plan aims to raise public awareness, promote sustainable production; contribute to supporting industries, localities, businesses and people in the province to gradually approach and apply energy-saving solutions, innovate production technology, improve the efficiency of resource and energy use, contribute to building a green economy and sustainable development in the province.

Initially, Hai Duong has achieved some remarkable results. The province is focusing on attracting investment projects with high technology content and environmental friendliness; at the same time, supporting businesses to transform towards reducing emissions and improving energy efficiency.

Hai Duong has been developing ecological urban areas, green industrial parks, modern infrastructure, contributing to improving the quality of life for the people. Promoting the development of high-tech agriculture, organic agriculture and closed production value chains. In the field of human resource training, the province focuses on training high-quality human resources to serve energy transition and sustainable development.

An expert in the field of equitable energy transition from the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics spoke to clarify some contents at the seminar.

Typical examples are some enterprises, models, and urban areas such as An Phat Green Plastic Joint Stock Company; Electronic Components Factory of Haengsung Electronics Group (Korea); Pha Lai Thermal Power Joint Stock Company; EcoRivers Hai Duong ecological urban area; rice - earthworm - shrimp model in Tu Ky district...

Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Le Ngoc Chau emphasized that the seminar is an important opportunity to review and evaluate the initial results achieved, and frankly discuss the difficulties and challenges in the process of implementing a fair energy transition.

Challenging the Line, Ready for Green Transition

At the seminar, Mr. Duong Trung Y, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, commented that in recent times, Hai Duong has been "very ready" to implement commitments on green transformation and sustainable economic development, including equitable energy transition.

Increasing green standards, requiring investment in clean technology or changing production models can make it difficult for many businesses to adapt, even at the risk of being eliminated from the supply chain. Workers in traditional industries such as coal, cement, textiles, etc. may face the risk of losing their jobs without appropriate support. In recent times, these risks have become increasingly evident.

Experts from the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment speak at the seminar

The green transformation journey in Vietnam is still arduous, especially for SMEs, which account for the vast majority of the economic structure. While large enterprises and FDI enterprises have many advantages in terms of resources, technology and markets, SMEs are facing a series of barriers.

At the seminar, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of An Phat Green Plastic Joint Stock Company said that the biggest challenge is finance. Investing in green technology, modern production lines, standard waste treatment systems, or especially researching and developing new environmentally friendly materials requires a huge amount of capital, often long-term investments and high risks.

In addition, some issues such as innovation and technology capacity; awareness, information and policy access capacity; policy synchronization and implementation are also challenges for businesses in general and SME groups in particular in the equitable energy transition.

The representative of An Phat Green Plastic Joint Stock Company's leadership pointed out some difficulties and challenges for businesses in the equitable energy transition.

For the green transition to be effective, green credit packages with real preferential interest rates and simpler and more flexible access procedures are needed. Research on credit guarantee mechanisms, venture capital funds for green projects, risk sharing mechanisms and specific tax and fee incentives for investment in green technology and production of green products.

Chairman of the Board of Directors of An Phat Green Plastic Joint Stock Company proposed to support businesses in a fair energy transition.

Support businesses in accessing technology information, connecting with experts and research institutes. Have stronger incentive policies for research and development, especially in green technology and materials. Build regional and national green innovation centers to provide technical support and testing for businesses.

Develop clear and specific green criteria and standards for each industry and sector so that businesses have a basis to strive for. Provide complete, timely and easily accessible information on support policies. Review and simplify administrative procedures related to investment and access to support for green projects. Establish a regular dialogue mechanism between management agencies and businesses to listen and promptly resolve problems.

During the discussion, delegates raised a number of issues to improve the efficiency of equitable energy transition, such as the role of the State in supporting businesses; green credit mechanisms, green bonds; issues of access to information and policies; utilization of waste products in production and livestock farming; environmental protection in areas of regional linkage development, etc.

On the same morning, also at the Provincial Political School, the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics held a training session on green transformation and energy transformation.

Previously, on the afternoon of April 10, the Organizing Committee of the training course; representatives of the Provincial Party Committee's Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Department; the Provincial Industrial Park Management Board; the Provincial Business Association; the Investment Promotion and Enterprise Support Center (Office of the Provincial People's Committee); and the Provincial Political School had a field trip on green transformation and environmental protection at An Phat Green Plastic Joint Stock Company (Nam Sach).

HA KIEN - THANH CHUNG

Source: https://baohaiduong.vn/chu-cich-ubnd-tinh-hai-duong-le-ngoc-chau-chuyen-doi-nang-luong-cong-bang-mo-ra-mo-hinh-tang-truong-moi-ben-vung-409201.html