US ready to support Vietnam in achieving net zero emissions by 2050

Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Tran Hong Ha delivering a presentation. (Photo: Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment)

Hanoi (VNA) - The Special Presidential Envoy for Climate of the US affirmed that his country stands ready to support Vietnam in reviewing and adjusting its strategies and plans towards the goal of net zero emissions by 2050.

Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Tran Hong Ha on February 24 had a working session with Special Presidential Envoy for Climate of the US John Kerry on the roadmap as well as measures to realise the commitments at the COP26.

Minister Ha said right after the end of the COP26, the Vietnamese government started work to realise the commitments, focusing on reviewing and adjusting the its strategies and plans to make them suitable to the goal of net zero emissions by 2050.

At the same time, Vietnam is also actively and proactively working with international organisations and development partners to make full use of financial and technological cooperation with them so as to increase its ability in realising the Paris Agreement and the commitments at the COP26.

Besides, Vietnam is also ready to help investors implement projects on climate change response and renewable energy development and circular economic development by settling their difficulties and untangling their knots.

The US administration should successfully manifest its role as the coordinator, contribute to and support the developing countries with strong commitments like Vietnam on policies, financial resources, management experience, infrastructure development, etc, so as to reach the expectation.

Sharing Ha’s viewpoint, Kerry held that the countries must jointly work to realise the COP26 commitments and to turn to higher ones at the COP27.

As for Vietnam, the official said the US administration very highly values Vietnam’s commitments made at the COP26, and affirmed that he will continue closely coordinate actions with Vietnam on measures and policies related to its measures and policies in developing renewable energy, reducing emissions, sustainable infrastructure development, and water resources management.

An overview of the session. (Photo: Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment)

Kerry also affirmed that the US administration is ready to help Vietnam review and adjust its strategies and plans towards the goal of net zero emissions by 2050, including Electricity Plan VIIII, the strong acceleration of the development of renewable energy resources such as off-shore wind electricity, solar electricity, and the revision and making of policy to eliminate the coal-powered electricity generation.

However, the official held that Vietnam should make changes in legal policies so as to facilitate foreign firms to invest and develop the circular economy in the country.

The US official said on the basis of Vietnam’s commitments and actions in the past, he will raise his voice so that the US administration will accompany and assist Vietnam in realising the commitments at the COP26 at the highest level.

Concluding the session, Minister Ha expressed his hope that in the time to come, as the Special Presidential Envoy for Climate of the US, Kerry will continue his attention to the acceleration of the cooperation between Vietnam and the US in reducing green-house gas emissions and climate change adaptation, especially in realising its commitments on reducing methane gas emission, developing the Mekong Dela suitable to the climate change, and in helping Vietnam in the issues of sensing, warming and coping with natural calamities. US’s experiences in the management of ocean plastic waste and marine biological diversity preservation are also important, he said.

At the same time, the minister also said he hopes the US will continue helping Vietnam connect with financial institutions and credit organisations capable of providing financial and credit support to Vietnam as well as expertise and technology help to the country. Those helps should include management ability so that Vietnam can realise the global commitments and initiatives on emission reduction and climate change adaptation./.