Firmly committed to the goal of not trading the environment for growth

Environmental degradation, if not controlled in a timely manner, will become a major obstacle to long-term growth. Recognizing this risk, Quang Ninh has quickly affirmed its consistent stance: Not to trade the environment for economic growth. This is not only a political statement, but also a vital strategic choice, demonstrating foresight and responsibility towards future generations.

Monitoring the wastewater treatment process of Texhong Hai Ha Industrial Park through the camera system.

At the COP26 Conference, Vietnam officially committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2050. This is a decisive step, demonstrating Vietnam's high role and responsibility towards the international community in the fight against climate change. To realize this commitment, many major policies have been implemented synchronously. The National Green Growth Strategy for the 2021-2030 period aims to shift the economic model towards more efficient use of resources and emission reduction. The 2020 Law on Environmental Protection for the first time includes important economic mechanisms in the legal framework, such as carbon pricing and the emission credit market. Along with that, the Power Plan VIII adjusts the proportion of power sources, promotes the development of renewable energy and gradually reduces dependence on coal-fired thermal power.

These developments show a strong shift in management thinking: the environment is no longer considered a cost of development, but has become a core component, a pillar in the new development model. Renewable energy is the clearest evidence of this positive shift. Thanks to investment incentive policies, especially the FIT price mechanism, Vietnam has become the leading country in Southeast Asia in solar power. By the end of 2021, Vietnam's solar and wind power capacity had exceeded 19,000 MW, accounting for more than 25% of the total capacity of the national power system.

In Quang Ninh, over the past decade, the province has pioneered the transformation of the development model from “brown” to “green”, from exploiting raw resources to service economy, processing and manufacturing industry, clean energy, and sustainable tourism . This determination shows that the province does not accept short-term development, but prioritizes environmental protection to create a long-term foundation for growth.

High-pressure mist sprayer suppresses dust in the coal screening and storage area at Cao Son Coal Joint Stock Company. Photo: Pham Hoc

To realize the commitment, Quang Ninh has implemented many synchronous solutions, such as: Closing open-pit coal mines in residential areas, relocating polluting industrial facilities out of urban areas, investing in modern waste treatment systems, and restoring the environment after mining. New industrial parks and economic zones are planned in a green - smart direction, requiring projects to comply with environmental protection standards and energy efficiency. In particular, Quang Ninh promotes the development of renewable energy, green seaports, environmentally friendly logistics, along with tourism infrastructure associated with nature conservation, Ha Long Bay heritage, and Bai Tu Long Bay. This both creates a distinct competitive advantage and affirms a harmonious growth model between economy, society and environment.

Quang Ninh has also set a series of strategic and consistent tasks, such as: Improving the effectiveness and efficiency of environmental management and protection according to the environmental protection plan in the Provincial Planning for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050; building, perfecting, adjusting, supplementing policy mechanisms and mobilizing, allocating and effectively using priority resources for environmental protection; promoting innovation; transferring, applying and developing science and technology; improving the quality of communication and educating awareness about environmental management and protection, and responding to climate change, etc.

In economic development, especially investment attraction, Quang Ninh is giving priority to and focusing on the application of green technology, limiting the development of industries that generate large amounts of waste; implementing the saving of natural resources and prioritizing the attraction of foreign investment in a sustainable manner. Along with that, the province is promoting investment attraction for circular economic models, ecological industries, projects that use land economically, consume less natural resources and apply many renewable energy sources... In addition, the province has also proactively proposed many solutions to manage and strictly control emission sources, control environmental quality in areas with diverse economic activities; strengthen inspection, examination and supervision of the environment...

For each task, the province has proposed specific and clear solutions and assigned responsibilities to each department, branch and functional unit for implementation. Quang Ninh has determined that striving in environmental protection is not only to improve scores and maintain the PGI ranking, but must be a particularly important factor to create a foundation for sustainable development and improve the quality of people's lives. Along with that is realizing the goal of preventing and repelling the increasing trend of environmental pollution by 2025, with a vision to 2030; proactively and actively responding to climate change, creating basic conditions for a green economy, a circular economy, low emissions, low carbon; contributing to building Quang Ninh into a model province, rich, beautiful, civilized and modern.

In fact, the choice of “not trading the environment for growth” has created a strong attraction for Quang Ninh with investors with long-term vision, especially in the fields of clean industry, high technology, and quality tourism. The province’s GRDP growth rate is always among the top in the country, but at the same time, the quality of the living environment of the people is increasingly improved.

Quang Ninh today is not only an economic growth pole in the North, but also one of the leading localities in building a green, sustainable development model, capable of adapting to climate change and global development trends. In the new development phase, Quang Ninh continues to determine: Economic growth must be associated with environmental protection. This is the key direction for the province to maintain its pioneering position and realize the goal of becoming a centrally-governed city before 2030. Quang Ninh's message is spreading very clearly: Development is not only for immediate prosperity, but also for future generations to live in a green, clean and sustainable environment.

With drastic and methodical steps, Quang Ninh is becoming a model of green development, harmonizing the economy and environment, not only for itself but also for the whole country.

Hoai Anh

Source: https://baoquangninh.vn/tang-truong-khong-danh-doi-moi-truong-3372277.html