Greenhouse gas inventory, the first step to green growth

As an industrial center, concentrating many energy-consuming manufacturing industries, the need to control greenhouse gas emissions in Hai Phong is becoming more urgent.

An Duong Industrial Park concentrates many mechanical industrial production facilities.

Many businesses consume large amounts of energy.

From January 18, 2022, the Prime Minister signed Decision No. 01/2022/QD-TTg promulgating a list of 1,902 large greenhouse gas emitting facilities, belonging to 4 sectors and fields (Industry and Trade, Transport, Construction, Natural Resources and Environment) that must conduct inventory and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Professor, PhD, lawyer, businessman Pham Hong Diep has an article “Map of major emission sources and orientation to reduce carbon emissions” pointing out key emission sectors in Hai Phong city. Accordingly, coal-fired power is at the top, followed by the cement, steel, fertilizer, seaport and port exploitation industries – emissions from ships and loading and unloading equipment...

Hai Duong BOT Thermal Power Plant (JAKS) is one of the top names in the list of major emitters.

We can point out here the names of both the East and West regions of Hai Phong such as: Hai Phong Thermal Power Joint Stock Company, Pha Lai Thermal Power (PPC), Hai Duong BOT Thermal Power Plant (JAKS) in Kinh Mon, Chinfon Cement, VICEM Hoang Thach, Phuc Son Cement... Hai Phong Thermal Power Joint Stock Company alone consumed 1,717,503 TOE.

The port and port exploitation group has a significant amount of emissions, mainly from ships during anchoring and operation, as well as from loading and unloading equipment using fossil fuels. From the analysis of the current status of greenhouse gas emissions in the city, Mr. Pham Hong Diep proposed to build a map of major emission sources, along with strategic solutions towards the Net Zero target in Hai Phong.

It is known that, in order to achieve the common goal of net zero emissions by 2050 (Net Zero), Vietnam is currently building a carbon credit market, expected to pilot from 2025, complete the legal framework in 2027 and operate a carbon credit trading floor in 2028.

The two main traded commodities are greenhouse gas emissions allowances and carbon credits. The trading platform is a tool to help Vietnam accelerate its green transition. Vietnam is the first country in the East Asia Pacific region to receive emissions-based payments from the World Bank’s Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF).

Expanding forest area contributes to absorbing and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Effective implementation of emission reduction inventory

Deputy Director of the Institute of Strategy and Policy on Agriculture and Environment (Ministry of Agriculture and Environment) Nguyen Dinh Tho said that in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, businesses need to clearly understand their responsibility to contribute to the implementation of greenhouse gas emission reduction targets of Vietnam and the world. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is a solid foundation for businesses to take advantage of climate finance opportunities, while meeting increasingly strict legal requirements and environmental standards. However, in order to be able to inventory, establish and implement plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, businesses need to be guided in implementing methods of measuring and inventorying greenhouse gases, planning to reduce carbon emissions and building emission reduction projects, creating conditions for individuals and organizations to participate in the carbon market.

To achieve the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to zero, the Department of Agriculture and Environment and the City Economic Zones Management Board have organized many training conferences to guide businesses in carrying out inventories and making plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Currently, there are international standards in the world for greenhouse gas inventory such as ISO 14064 or ISO 14067 on carbon footprint quantification, ISO 14068 on carbon neutrality. From the beginning of 2024, after the hydrometeorological database project is completed, businesses can prepare and submit reports online.

Along with that, the City People's Committee assigned the Department of Agriculture and Environment to develop a draft regulation on coordination of state management on inventory and mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions. The regulation consists of 3 chapters with 7 articles, clearly defining the responsibilities of relevant departments and branches. The important roles in performing this task are the Departments of Agriculture and Environment, Industry and Trade, Construction and People's Committees of communes, wards and special zones. In which, the Department of Agriculture and Environment presides, guides and coordinates the general inventory and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions; organizes the implementation of legal documents on management of inventory and mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions. Synthesize, develop and adjust the list of fields and establishments that must conduct greenhouse gas inventories; develop goals and roadmaps for implementing methods to increase greenhouse gas absorption from sustainable forest management, protect and improve forest cover, biomass and quality, and integrate them into the greenhouse gas emission mitigation plan. Advise the City People's Committee on strategies, goals, programs, projects in greenhouse gas inventory and mitigation activities...

Speaking at the workshop "Hai Phong City is a pioneer in green transformation and sustainable development", a representative of Pegatron Vietnam Co., Ltd. at Deep C 2A Industrial Park said that the company is not only pursuing financial goals, but also paying attention to the surrounding environment, social responsibility and operational management methods. The company's general goal is to achieve a 50% renewable energy usage rate by 2030 and achieve zero net emissions by 2050. Pegatron is actively maintaining carbon emission reduction, currently achieving ISO 14064 certification for greenhouse gas emission control. The company also focuses on green electricity; investing and building its own solar power plant and achieving I-REC green electricity certification. In the future, Pegatron's new factories will be expanded, accompanied by the continued synchronous installation of additional solar energy equipment.

In the context of the city promoting digital transformation and strong green transformation, the requirement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is not only a legal responsibility but also the key to ensuring competitiveness and international integration.

BAO CHAU - DUY THINH

Source: https://baohaiphong.vn/kiem-ke-khi-nha-kinh-buoc-dau-tien-de-tang-truong-xanh-523405.html