Appropriate decentralization and support for grassroots levels to carry out new tasks

Need to improve environmental impact assessment process

Recognizing and appreciating the great efforts of the Government, ministries, branches and local authorities in implementing policies and laws on environmental protection since the Law on Environmental Protection 2020 took effect, National Assembly Deputy Nguyen Thi Thu Ha ( Quang Ninh ) also emphasized that the environment is still one of the biggest challenges of sustainable development, which requires us to improve environmental protection work and perfect mechanisms and policies in the coming period.

National Assembly Delegate Nguyen Thi Thu Ha (Quang Ninh) speaks. Photo: Pham Thang

Through studying reports and local realities, delegate Nguyen Thi Thu Ha suggested that it is necessary to improve the environmental impact assessment (EIA) appraisal process in the direction of ensuring quality, sufficient technical and technological information before appraisal; at the same time, supplementing a shortened, online appraisal mechanism for low-risk projects to shorten time and costs. Clearly specify the authority, transitional basis and criteria for decentralizing environmental licensing, ensuring consistency and avoiding overlap.

And, according to the delegate, it is necessary to clarify the scope and subjects that must carry out EIA or are exempted from environmental obligations, especially for expansion projects, capacity increase projects or production chain linkage projects. At the same time, consider exempting or simplifying the obligation to conduct trial operations for stable facilities that do not change technology, in order to reduce costs and be consistent with production reality.

Regarding wastewater treatment in industrial zones and clusters, delegate Nguyen Thi Thu Ha observed that currently, many auxiliary zones of industrial zones have to invest in separate wastewater treatment systems, causing waste and difficulty in management. Meanwhile, industrial zones and clusters or production, business and service areas close to each other are not allowed to share centralized wastewater treatment systems even though there is excess capacity. In addition, there are no clear criteria for the stability and longevity of the connection, leading to the risk of taking advantage of "temporary connections" to avoid environmental permits.

Delegates attending the meeting. Photo: Quang Khanh

Therefore, delegates suggested that it is necessary to add a flexible mechanism to allow common connections to the centralized wastewater treatment system between industrial zones, clusters or neighboring facilities with suitable technical conditions. At the same time, specify the conditions to ensure safety, stability and longevity of the connection plan, avoid coping, ensure effective investment and centralized environmental management. Issue specific standards on the reuse of domestic and industrial wastewater to ensure economical and effective water use.

Regarding state management, delegate Nguyen Thi Thu Ha pointed out that many tasks of management, inspection, handling of violations and response to environmental incidents have been decentralized from the district level to the commune level, while the capacity, personnel and resources of the commune level are still limited. “Decentralization without guidance, training and support mechanisms can easily lead to overload and reduce enforcement effectiveness. On the other hand, the authority to sanction administrative violations in the environmental field does not have clear criteria and overlaps between levels,” the delegate emphasized.

From this reality, delegates suggested that it is necessary to decentralize appropriately, at the same time supplement support mechanisms, training, human resource arrangement and funding for the grassroots level to ensure effective implementation of new tasks; clarify criteria for determining the authority to sanction and manage environmental administrative violations, avoid duplication, ensure transparency and feasibility. Establish a centralized Environmental Fund to handle environmental work in enterprises, especially enterprises with large impacts on the environment, support investment in environmental infrastructure at the grassroots level, giving priority to areas under pressure from pollution or low income.

Implementation of policies and laws on environmental protection must be strict.

Concerned about the implementation of legal regulations on the collection of special waste, National Assembly member Nguyen Thi Hue (Thai Nguyen) said that technological waste and solar batteries are emerging as a serious challenge to the global environment. The strong development of science and technology has led to a large amount of expired electronic devices, components and solar panels, creating a source of waste containing many heavy metals and toxic chemicals.

National Assembly Delegate Nguyen Thi Hue ( Thai Nguyen ). Photo: Quang Khanh

In fact, our country has considered the risks of specific waste and prepared response plans such as. Specifically, the Law on Environmental Protection 2020 and its implementing documents have a number of regulations to manage specific types of waste.

However, delegate Nguyen Thi Hue suggested that, in addition to regulations requiring manufacturers and importers to collect and recycle products at the end of their life cycle, it is necessary to establish national standards for the collection, transportation and treatment of technological waste and solar batteries. Encourage a circular economy by reusing components and materials, reducing the exploitation of raw resources.

Along with that, according to the delegate, it is necessary to pay attention to developing clean recycling technology; propagating to raise awareness among people and businesses; encouraging the model of "exchanging electronic waste for gifts", centralized collection at supermarkets and schools; supporting green businesses with initiatives to handle and recycle technological waste...

To improve the effectiveness of implementing policies and laws on environmental protection, National Assembly member Nguyen Cong Hoang (Thai Nguyen) suggested that there should be a mechanism and a pilot program for some localities to say no to plastic bags and plastic bottles. Establish an assessment table and post-audit environmental criteria, similar to economic indicators that will be included in the competition. Publicize mandatory environmental indicators nationwide. Encourage the socialization of waste and environmental treatment technology, as well as have incentive mechanisms for businesses. In particular, the delegate emphasized that the implementation of policies and laws must be strict to improve the effectiveness of law enforcement.

National Assembly Deputy Nguyen Cong Hoang (Thai Nguyen). Photo: Pham Thang

Previously, at the morning session on October 28, National Assembly Deputy Ha Hong Hanh (Khanh Hoa) emphasized that one of the new and strategic points of the Law on Environmental Protection 2020 is that for the first time it clearly stipulates the domestic carbon market mechanism, including greenhouse gas emission quotas, carbon credits and a national carbon trading floor. "This is an important turning point, demonstrating Vietnam's innovative thinking in greenhouse gas management, in line with international commitments that our country has participated in, especially the Paris Agreement on climate change and the commitment to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 that the Prime Minister announced at the COP26 Conference," the delegate emphasized.

National Assembly Delegate Ha Hong Hanh (Khanh Hoa). Photo: Ho Long

The carbon credit trading mechanism is a market economic tool that helps encourage businesses and organizations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while creating a green financial source for reinvestment in sustainable development activities. On the other hand, our country also has many favorable conditions to develop this mechanism.

Therefore, delegate Ha Hong Hanh proposed to complete the legal framework as soon as possible, especially the Decree on the operation of carbon trading floors and specific regulations on the allocation and trading of emission quotas. Build a national database system on greenhouse gas emissions, unified from the central to enterprises. At the same time, support enterprises in transformation through training policy boards, consulting, green credit and tax incentives for pioneering enterprises in reducing emissions, as well as support for auditing costs and credit registration for small and medium-sized units.

“We need to participate more deeply in regional and global carbon trading mechanisms to expand the output for Vietnamese carbon credits, avoiding the situation of being “confined” to the domestic market,” delegate Ha Hong Hanh emphasized.

Source: https://daibieunhandan.vn/phan-cap-phu-hop-va-ho-tro-cho-cap-co-so-thuc-hien-nhiem-vu-moi-10393327.html