“Green Forum” welcomes the coming spring

External pressure in 2022-2023 will not only come from supply chain disruptions and international conflicts. Another “silent” but very strong pressure is the green transition trend of countries around the world, especially countries that import large quantities of Vietnamese goods.

From textiles, footwear to wood and other exports, they are caught off guard when new green standards are introduced; and their neighbours are catching on faster, with Bangladesh being one example.

Some people say that we have been clear about our awareness when we have a series of policies, international commitments and have formed a national strategy. However, the above documents will remain theoretical without the real participation of the market, society and the promulgation of specific groups of promoting policies.

Over the past 2 years, Ho Chi Minh City has made efforts to build the foundations for these 3 necessary and sufficient pillars, starting with awareness. Seminars, workshops, and forums have been continuously organized directly on the topic of green economic growth and development. The contents are not only "macro vision" but are gradually divided into each industry, going into each task with specific actions and initiatives. After the Ho Chi Minh City Economic Forum 2023 with the theme of aiming for "carbon neutrality" (Net Zero), the growth policy framework as well as measures have been drafted by advisory agencies.

There are many debates surrounding these policies, both in terms of roadmap, priorities and resources for implementation. But no one denies the necessity of this transition, especially with market movements towards green growth at many different levels. Renewable energy market, electric vehicle market, increasing demand for ecological living spaces, emission-reducing construction standards, green consumption trends associated with clean agricultural foods, trends in using recycled products... The policy space for green growth in Ho Chi Minh City is also clearly defined in Resolution 98/2023/QH15 through the above contents, along with policies to promote waste-to-energy projects and pilot carbon credit exchange markets.

The direct support and participation of international organizations in both technical and professional aspects, as well as in resource mobilization, are connected with the orbit. The World Bank organizes various groups to accompany the city; the GIZ (Germany) conducts studies on converting motorbikes to green means of transport; manufacturing corporations connect with each other to promote sustainable consumption through the Vietnam Packaging Recycling Alliance; the excitement of international investment funds in the carbon credit market starting from forests and renewable energy is expected to quickly move to other areas.

Or Can Gio - an island district of the city, after 40 years is becoming a gem of the pioneering goal of Net Zero. Ideas are materialized through the proposal to rebuild the transport network with a "green spot" from Binh Khanh ferry, or rely on existing concentrated residential areas to invest heavily in renewable energy, waste - water treatment according to the circular economy method, or protect and plant Can Gio forest associated with eco-tourism, and "offset" carbon credits for other industries.

Once it becomes a trend, it is not limited to a single locality or sector. The vision of a green growth ecosystem includes key economic sectors, start-up spaces, innovation, and promoting different science and technology models to solve environmental problems, climate change, and carbon neutrality that the city is aiming for.

After nearly 40 years of innovation, the city’s strong vitality comes from the ideas and people who are “concerned” with this land every day. From the discussions, it is necessary to form products in the following years, not only immediate results but also medium- and long-term policies. That is an important step for us to continue affirming the steps of transforming the city’s development model, of which green growth is the pillar.

Dr. TRUONG MINH HUY VU (Ho Chi Minh City Institute for Development Studies)

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