The bottleneck from technology to application.

Aiming for Net Zero by 2050, green transformation is becoming an essential requirement of development. However, a significant gap remains between technological potential and implementation capabilities, as mechanisms, resources, and the innovation ecosystem have not kept pace.

The circular value chain from the green hemp plant of Thien Phuoc Hemp Group Joint Stock Company contributes to the formation of a green raw material source for the textile and garment industry.

Technology opens up opportunities for a green economy .

The rapid development of digital technology , big data, and artificial intelligence (AI) is helping to optimize resource use, reduce emissions, and improve governance efficiency. Numerous international studies show that AI could contribute to a 5-10% reduction in global emissions by 2030, through the optimization of energy, transportation, and manufacturing systems.

In Vietnam, a wave of green innovation is gradually taking shape. The startup ecosystem currently has over 4,000 businesses, of which about 200-300 are developing solutions in renewable energy, environmental technology, sustainable agriculture , and the circular economy. Several startup models have demonstrated the potential to transform wasted resources into new economic value, such as: the Vietfiber project, which utilizes pineapple fiber to produce bio-materials, contributing to reducing wastewater and chemicals in production; and Net Zero Pallet, which uses agricultural waste to create alternative materials to industrial wood.

From the 2012 National Green Growth Strategy to the 2021-2030 Strategy with a vision to 2050, along with programs supporting sustainable business development, numerous policies have been enacted to shift the economy towards low emissions. However, the green transition is also placing significant pressure on businesses. In the context of fluctuating energy prices and increasingly stringent environmental standards from export markets, businesses face a double pressure: rising input costs while demands for "greening" production continue to increase. Therefore, green transition has become a condition for maintaining competitiveness.

In Vietnam, climate change is estimated to cause losses of approximately 3.2% of GDP annually. According to the Ministry of Science and Technology, for green transformation to truly become a long-term growth driver, a comprehensive green technology ecosystem needs to be built, encompassing institutions, infrastructure, human resources, data, and technology. In this context, science and technology are increasingly becoming important indicators in implementing environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) standards.

From a policy perspective, Dr. Tran Van Khai, Vice Chairman of the National Assembly's Committee on Science, Technology and Environment, believes that green transformation can only succeed when linked to digital transformation. Technologies such as AI, the Internet of Things (IoT), and big data are helping businesses measure emissions, ensure transparency of ESG data, and improve resource efficiency...

The bottleneck in technology transfer.

Technology is opening up many possibilities for a green economy, but practical implementation still reveals a significant gap between technological potential and its application. One of the key reasons is the lack of connectivity between stakeholders in the innovation ecosystem, from research institutes and universities to businesses and regulatory agencies.

According to Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen The Chinh, Vice President of the Vietnam Association of Environmental Economics, the incentive mechanisms for green development are not yet truly synchronized, financial resources are limited, while there is still a shortage of human resources to operate green technologies. Notably, the coordination among the "three parties"—the State, research institutes, and businesses—is ineffective, resulting in many research findings not being transferred into production. Therefore, experts believe it is necessary to promote a cooperation model based on the principle of "co-design - co-implement - co-share," in which businesses play a central role in the innovation ecosystem.

Another crucial bottleneck is the technology transfer mechanism. For green technologies to be put into practice, it's necessary to strengthen the links between research institutes, universities, and businesses through a practical, demand-driven approach: localities and businesses identify problems, research institutes/universities develop solutions, and businesses organize implementation and expansion into the market. This approach helps bridge the gap between research and application, fostering innovation aligned with the needs of the economy.

Furthermore, many technological innovations can only thrive in a suitable testing environment. Models like WoodID or the P-Coin green credit demonstrate that when implemented within a policy testing mechanism (sandbox), technological solutions can be quickly refined and disseminated into practice.

Besides institutions and technology, financial resources also play a crucial role in the green transformation process. In fact, many credit programs have begun directing capital towards sustainable production sectors, such as: loans for high-tech agriculture, development of OCOP (One Commune One Product) value chains, or high-quality, low-emission rice projects in the Mekong Delta with preferential interest rates for priority sectors.

According to the State Bank of Vietnam, by the end of 2025, green credit outstanding will reach nearly 780 trillion VND, equivalent to about 4.19% of the total outstanding loans in the entire economy. Although the proportion is still low, the increasing trend of green credit shows that capital flows are gradually shifting into sustainable production sectors.

However, the need for resources for green transformation remains significant. The State Bank of Vietnam is advising on the implementation of a policy to support interest rates of 2% per year for the private sector to implement green projects in accordance with Resolution 198/2025/QH15 of the National Assembly. At the end of March, the Government also launched a campaign to promote "Innovation, scientific and technological development, digital transformation, and green transformation" to awaken the proactive and creative spirit of the entire society in applying science and technology to management, production, and daily life. The plan for implementing the campaign identifies science, technology, innovation, and "green-digital" transformation as key drivers of growth, the foundation for improving productivity and competitiveness of the economy.

In this context, Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW of the Politburo further affirms that science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation are the foundation for developing new productive forces. As the State creates institutions, research institutions develop technology, and businesses bring solutions to the market, the innovation ecosystem will gradually be perfected, thereby transforming green transformation from a policy orientation into a real driving force for sustainable growth.

HIEP DUC

Source: https://nhandan.vn/nut-that-tu-cong-nghe-den-ung-dung-post952907.html