The trend is irreversible.
In the world, the ecological industrial park (IP) model has been proven to be an effective solution to optimize resource use, minimize negative impacts on the environment, and create competitive advantages for businesses in the context of the market increasingly focusing on sustainable solutions. In Vietnam, with increasing pressure from international commitments on environmental protection and the requirement for green economic development, ecological IPs are also being focused on. IPs that are planned in a synchronous, modern and environmentally friendly direction are of interest to and sought after by FDI investors.
According to the Department of Economic Zones Management, Ministry of Planning and Investment , the industrial park model is formed and developed in conjunction with the context and requirements of the periods implementing the 10-year socio-economic development strategy and the 5-year socio-economic development plan of the country, and is a tool to achieve the goal of sustainable development on all 3 pillars: economy, society and environment.
Statistics from the Department of Economic Zones Management, Ministry of Planning and Investment show that by the end of July 2024, the whole country had 431 industrial parks and export processing zones established with a total area of about 132.3 thousand hectares, creating an industrial land fund of about 89.9 thousand hectares, of which 301 industrial parks have come into operation, attracting large amounts of investment capital, supplementing important resources for investment in socio-economic development of the country in general and localities in particular.
Currently, there are a number of industrial parks oriented towards development and operation according to the ecological model. For example, located in Thuy Nguyen district, Nam Cau Kien Industrial Park with an area of over 260 hectares, is one of the first ecological industrial parks following the circular economic model in Vietnam, combining industrial development with environmental protection, aiming to harmonize the interests of stakeholders through ESG aspects (Environment - Society - Governance).
According to Dr. Phan Xuan Dung - Chairman of the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations, Nam Cau Kien Eco-Industrial Park in Thuy Nguyen District, Hai Phong City is successfully building and applying a green economic model - circular economy, contributing significantly to economic development as well as raising awareness, perception and action of businesses here in environmental protection.
Following such ecological and sustainable orientation, Nam Cau Kien Industrial Park has achieved clear and specific results when applying environmental protection measures in industrial park exploitation activities.
According to the sustainable development report of the investor of Nam Cau Kien Industrial Park, in 2023, this Industrial Park will successfully deploy a wastewater treatment plant with a capacity of 2,000 m3/day and night in the Industrial Park campus according to the Japanese garden model, reusing 25% of the treated wastewater for watering plants, washing roads, reducing the amount of waste discharged into the environment; thereby helping to save about 600 million VND in clean water costs each year. Regarding waste management, 3 industrial symbiotic chains in the fields of steel, plastic and electronic accessories have been formed, ensuring that 100% of the waste treatment needs of secondary enterprises are met according to the circular symbiotic chain model. Regarding electricity, Nam Cau Kien Industrial Park proactively promotes the use of rooftop solar power, piloting implementation in the Industrial Park's executive office area with an average output of 81.4 kWh.
Currently, Nam Cau Kien Industrial Park is covered with green space with 33% of the area used for public works, trees... exceeding the current requirement of 25%. Here, 1,200 species of organisms have been developed, 65% of the ecosystem in the Industrial Park has been restored after developing an ecological model, typically a garden of more than 3 hectares in the Industrial Park, a typical model of natural development and ecological conservation in industrial activities in Hai Phong.
Need coordination between businesses and industrial parks
Deploying the ecological industrial park model is to implement the National Strategy on Green Growth for the period 2021 - 2030, commitments in implementing sustainable development goals. At the same time, realizing Vietnam's Net Zero target (net emissions of "0") by 2050 at the COP 26 Conference.
That is the trend, but in reality, the number of industrial parks invested according to new, ecological standards is not much. According to the Ministry of Planning and Investment, as of May 2024, Vietnam had 425 industrial parks established, of which 299 were in operation, covering an area of over 92 thousand hectares. However, only about 1-2% of industrial parks in Vietnam are converting to the ecological industrial park model. This delay is a clear sign of major barriers in the transition from traditional industrial models to green production.
To promote the transition to eco-industrial parks, experts say that Vietnam needs to strongly reform both the legal framework and financial mechanisms. First of all, the Government needs to improve regulations on environmental standards, provide specific guidance for enterprises on implementing cleaner production measures and optimizing resources. In addition, it is necessary to simplify the environmental appraisal and licensing process, minimizing time and costs for enterprises. In terms of finance, it is necessary to establish stronger financial support mechanisms, such as green credit packages and tax incentives for enterprises investing in eco-industrial parks. This will help reduce the burden of initial costs, creating more favorable conditions for the transition process.
According to experts, cooperation between enterprises in an industrial park is a key factor for success. Sharing resources and cooperating in production not only helps reduce costs but also increases economic efficiency and protects the environment.
Source: https://moit.gov.vn/tin-tuc/phat-trien-cong-nghiep/khu-cong-nghiep-sinh-thai-tang-loi-the-canh-tranh-huong-toi-phat-trien-ben-vung.html
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