Việt Nam considers setting up renewable energy centre to realise net-zero carbon commitment

The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) has been asked to coordinate with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE) on setting up a renewable energy centre.

The centre will improve human resources training and technology transfer, and share legal experience and national governance in adapting to climate change.

During the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow, the UK, Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính pledged Việt Nam would reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050 and agreed to gradually phase out coal-fired power plants, while calling for international partners’ assistance, especially developed nations who have benefitted from long periods of industrialisation in the past, to help realise the goals.

The implementation of strategies and plans on green growth and climate change adaptation, including contents on Việt Nam’s commitments at COP26, will be submitted to the Prime Minister.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Justice will work with the MoNRE and relevant ministries and sectors to develop a technical assistance project to call on the UK and development partners to support Việt Nam in internalising its international commitments on climate change, including those made at COP26.

The Ministry of Information and Communications is responsible for coordinating with relevant agencies to build a communications project, including setting up websites on green growth, green energy transformation, digital transformation and climate change.

The MoNRE, the standing body of the Steering Committee, will partner with the Government Office, member ministries and agencies in organising periodic and extraordinary meetings of the committee.

A government notice issued yesterday says that it is necessary to continue to raise awareness of the importance and urgency of the implementation of commitments made at COP 26, in connection with promoting extensive international integration and cooperation with Việt Nam’s strategic partners in order to attract more resources, especially in finance, technology, governance skills, and human resources training to serve economic recovery and development, the implementation of the national green growth strategy and climate change adaptation.