UN Special Adviser to the Secretary-General and Assistant Secretary-General of the Climate Action Team Selwin Hart hands over the UN Secretary General's letter to Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang to transfer it to Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in May 2022. Photo: VNA

UN Special Adviser to the Secretary-General and Assistant Secretary-General of the Climate Action Team Selwin Hart has hailed Vietnam’s seriousness and efforts in fulfilling its commitments at the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26).

At a meeting on August 25 with Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN, Hart highly appreciated the results of his visit to Hanoi in early August, having witnessed with his own eyes the seriousness and efforts of Vietnam in implementing the commitments made at the COP26 as well as challenges facing Vietnam.

He noted his hope that Vietnam will reap positive results in the negotiations for the establishment of a partnership in energy transition, and that the Southeast Asian nation will continue to make strong commitments at COP27 slated for November.

The UN will further support Vietnam in energy transition, resource mobilization, and technology transfer to achieve the commitments, he pledged.

UN Special Adviser to the Secretary-General and Assistant Secretary-General of the Climate Action Team Selwin Hart and Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang. Photo: Representative office of Vietnam to the UN

For his part, Giang said Vietnam will mobilize all necessary domestic and foreign financial resources to realize its COP26 commitments.

Apart from the transition to renewable energy, Vietnam hopes for a comprehensive approach in climate change response, under which employment, social welfare, and living standards of disadvantaged groups are ensured, he continued.

Giang called on the UN to help Vietnam promote the transfer of technology and knowledge from the countries that are strong in the fields, along with financial support from the UN.

COP26 was held in Glasgow, Scotland (the UK), last November, during which Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh affirmed that Vietnam will capitalize on its advantages in renewable energy and take stronger measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Deputy Prime Minister Le Van Thanh on July 25 signed a decision approving the project on tasks and solutions to implement outcomes of the COP26.

The project targets activities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in such spheres as energy, transportation, construction material production and agriculture while stepping up waste treatment.

Offshore wind power development is an important part of Vietnam's COP26 commitment on the transition from fossil fuels to green energy. Photo: VNA

Commuters are encouraged to use electricity and green energy, and all of them should use biofuel E5 RON 92 by 2030. Meanwhile, greenhouse gas emissions in the energy industry will be cut by 32.6%; agriculture, 43%; and forestry and land use, 70%.

By 2030, renewable energy, including hydroelectricity, and wind, solar and biomass power, will account for at least 33% of the total electricity output, according to the project.

To that end, the project puts forth major tasks and solutions, including the consolidation of mechanisms, policies and laws, and administrative reform; renewable energy development; energy storage technologies; the reduction of gas emissions in transport and construction material production; green urban development; circular, low-carbon agriculture; the protection, preservation and sustainable use and development of forests; climate change response; and scientific research and innovation.

The project also mentions the establishment of a national renewable energy centre, and the possibility for Vietnam to join the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the International Solar Alliance (ISA) to accelerate energy transition and mobilise funding for climate change response and energy transition activities.

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