Nation colours its vision

In Vietnam, a draft strategy framework on green development for 2011-2020 with a vision towards 2030 has been developed by the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI). The framework is in the process of drafting and taking experts’ comments.

The strategic framework  stresses that “Sustainable development is the core view in the long-term development strategy of the country, based on the harmonious combination of the three pillars of development, including sustainable socio-economic development, and natural resources and environment protection.

Green growth is a component of sustainable development, promoting effective and sustainable development of the economy, while contributing to mitigate and prevent the impacts of climate change”.

Vu Tuan Anh, team leader of the author group revealed that some countries such as South Korea had their green growth plan, focusing on three major fields and 10 economic sectors, while China has ‘green revolution’ concentrating on saving energy, reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and investing in green technology.

Mexico’s strategy focuses on clean energy production and consumption, efficiency of agriculture and land use, and the Philippines is interested in renewable energy conservation, sustainable transportation, REDD and waste management.

“In Vietnam, green growth strategy will be a measure to transform the growth model and restructure the economy in the medium term and a tool to implement the strategy for sustainable economic development in the long term,”  Vu Tuan Anh said.

The Institute for Strategic Policy of Natural Resources and Environment (ISPONRE) head Nguyen Van Tai said: “The strategy needs to be focused on dealing with specific issues facing Vietnam. The country’s biggest challenges are to ensure stable economic growth while addressing environmental and climate change issues. This is the very target of green growth,” Tai said.
He said that foreign firms were awaiting the promulgation of the strategy so that they could sell their green technology to Vietnam.

“Thus the strategy also needs to have regulations for selecting technology, investment projects and solutions for mobilising investment capital,” Tai said.
Experts said the strategy should  focus on the major objectives in growth model innovation and economy restructure, which  emphasises a low carbon commitment and boost the use of clean and renewable energy, production greening and boosting green lifestyle and sustainable consumption.

According to the United Nations Development Programme, Vietnam’s per capita GHG emission volume remained far lower than that in many developed nations, but sharply augmented, from 0.3 tonnes in 1990 to 1.2 tonnes in 2007, when the world's average per capita GHG emission volume was 4.4 tonnes, the US (20.6 tonnes), Russia (10.6 tonnes), United Kingdom (9.8 tonnes), France (6 tonnes) and China (3.8 tonnes).

MPI Deputy Minister Nguyen The Phuong said  though Vietnam was not yet required to reduce its GHG emissions under international commitments, the country had been finding ways to reduce emissions and inked scores of agreements related to coping with climate change and using energy effectively.

Strengthening Sustainable Development and Climate Planning project

“A green growth strategy will not only  help to transform the economic growth model to a green and sustainable economy, but also be the effort to contribute to mitigate global climate change. This will also enhance the position of Vietnam in the international arena,” he added.