The Japanese government has launched the “National Campaign for a New and Prosperous Lifestyle, Aiming for Decarbonization” to help people change their daily habits, moving towards a green and sustainable lifestyle in the future. According to Japanese experts, the implementation in Japan can provide useful experiences for Vietnam.
Japan builds a green, sustainable lifestyle
In December 2015, the Paris Agreement on climate change was adopted at the 21st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 21) in Paris, France. The agreement made an important commitment: to keep the Earth's temperature increase below 2°C and continue efforts to limit the increase to 1.5°C compared to pre-industrial times (late 21st century). According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), this ambition requires the world to reduce carbon emissions by at least 40% by 2030 and completely eliminate carbon pollution by 2050.
To achieve this goal, many countries are accelerating the decarbonization process, aiming to achieve net zero emissions. As the world's fifth largest greenhouse gas emitter, Japan is making efforts to decarbonize not only its large-scale production lines but also its daily lifestyle. Recently, the Japanese government launched the "National Campaign for a New and Prosperous Lifestyle, Aiming for Decarbonization".
Advertisement for Japan's "National Campaign for a New and Prosperous Lifestyle, Aiming for Decarbonization" (Photo: Japan's Ministry of the Environment)
Sharing about the campaign, Mr. Yoshifumi Sakai, representative of the Japanese Ministry of the Environment, said: “To develop the campaign, we have set out two phases: Raising awareness and Practical implementation. We are currently in phase two: working with businesses to continuously launch products and projects that help people change their daily habits, moving towards a green, sustainable lifestyle in the future.”
Two of the main contents of the campaign are to encourage people to use renewable energy and public transport, through projects and products such as: cooperating with fashion brands to promote the use of green production lines, limit emissions, and use renewable energy; calling on factories and businesses to promote product lines that do not use fossil fuels; cooperating with solar power generation equipment manufacturers to rent equipment at preferential costs; developing housing designs using renewable energy; creating conditions for employees to work remotely, calling on employees to go to work by public transport or bicycle; cooperating with subway operators to provide preferential packages for customers, etc.
Replicating the model to Vietnam
At the press conference on Decarbonization based on actual needs in July 2023, Mr. Yochifumi Sakai, representative of Japan, said: Japan is cooperating with Southeast Asia to replicate the above model.
For Vietnam, the Japanese government aims to actively support Vietnam in achieving zero emissions through sharing technology, knowledge and participating in cooperation and financial support mechanisms, such as the "Asian Net Zero Emissions Community" (AZEC) initiative proposed by Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in January 2022, creating a forum for Asian countries to exchange, discuss and learn from each other's experiences; the Just Energy Transition Partnership, or the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), to mobilize financial resources worth 15.5 billion USD in the next 3 to 5 years to support Vietnam's green transition.
Tokyu Setagaya Line – the first train line to run 100% on renewable energy in Japan (Photo: Tokyu)
According to Mr. Yoshifumi Sakai, to make the best use of support resources and accelerate the green transition, Vietnam can refer to Japan's experience in calling for energy conversion and the use of public transport.
Specifically, regarding energy conversion, Vietnam can refer to the latest technology from Japan in increasing the proportion of renewable energy in the overall energy demand, by creating conditions for companies, factories, and businesses to use green energy, promoting green energy products so that consumers know and prioritize their choices.
Regarding encouraging public transport, Vietnam can cooperate with businesses to study people's travel habits, thereby having plans to encourage people to reduce the use of personal vehicles.
In crowded urban areas with small roads, Vietnam can encourage carpooling instead of private cars. According to Mr. Yoshifumi Sakai, Vietnam has a young, dynamic population that easily adapts to new technologies. That is an advantage in mobilizing people to change their living habits. To promote this advantage, the government needs to promote and create favorable conditions for people to understand and change their habits, towards a sustainable future.
Hong Anh
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