Practical applications of carbon credits in the economy. Part XIII: Towards the goal of building low-carbon cities in Vietnam

DNHN - Building low-carbon cities is one of the important goals that countries around the world are aiming for. So, the construction of low-carbon cities in Vietnam and the directions that need to be promoted to achieve this goal.

To build low-carbon cities, appropriate measures are needed

Vietnam is facing many environmental and resource challenges during the urbanization process. Economic growth and urban population put great pressure on infrastructure, energy, and natural resources. Major cities such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are facing traffic congestion, air pollution, and energy waste. Transitioning to low-carbon cities is an urgent requirement to mitigate negative impacts on the environment and improve the quality of life for urban residents.

First, building low-carbon cities not only helps reduce carbon emissions but also creates many other benefits. Low-carbon cities create conditions for the use of renewable and efficient energy, help reduce energy costs, and create jobs in this field. At the same time, building low-carbon cities creates a better living environment, reduces air pollution, and improves the health of urban residents. In addition, green buildings, convenient public transportation systems, and green spaces in cities create a harmonious and connected living environment.

Second, to build low-carbon cities, Vietnam needs to implement appropriate measures. First, policies must be developed to support and encourage the use of renewable energy and green technology in urban projects. Investing in public transportation systems, such as electric buses, urban railways, and other supporting infrastructure is also an important measure.

Third, building low-carbon cities requires the participation of the community and businesses, which is very important. The government needs to create an environment that encourages active participation from both sides. This can be done by providing financial support and tax incentives for low-carbon urban projects. Additionally, education programs need to be developed and awareness needs to be raised to create recognition and commitment from the community and businesses.

Fourth, building low-carbon cities is not only the responsibility of a single country but also requires international cooperation. Vietnam needs to seize the opportunity to cooperate with other countries and international organizations to share experiences and learn from successes in building sustainable cities. At the same time, Vietnam can benefit from receiving technology and funding from international partners.

Building low-carbon cities is an important goal that Vietnam needs to aim for in the process of urban development. Implementing this transition not only helps mitigate negative impacts on the environment but also creates many benefits for the community and economy. To achieve this goal, active participation from the government, community, and businesses is needed, along with international cooperation. Only when all stakeholders act together can Vietnam build livable and sustainable cities for the future.

Developing low-carbon cities

Recently, important commitments from the international community to combat climate change have been implemented. By 2022, more than 1,000 cities worldwide have transitioned to respond to climate change. Major cities like Rio de Janeiro, New York, Paris, Tokyo, Oslo, Mexico City, Melbourne, London, Milan, Cape Town, Buenos Aires, Caracas, Copenhagen, Vancouver, and Hong Kong are examples. Additionally, hundreds of cities from developed countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Germany, Japan, South Korea, and China are also actively participating in this effort.

At the COP26 conference in November 2021, Vietnam, along with nearly 150 countries, committed to reducing carbon emissions to "0" by 2050. More than 100 countries committed to reducing methane emissions, and nearly 50 countries joined the declaration to transition from coal power to clean energy. To implement the commitments at COP26, the Vietnamese government issued the National Action Plan on Green Growth for the period 2021-2030 and the National Climate Change Strategy to 2050. At the same time, a clear roadmap was proposed to promote climate goals, supporting businesses, sectors, and localities in reducing carbon emissions.

Currently, the trend of developing low-carbon cities is becoming an indispensable part of global efforts to combat climate change. A low-carbon city is a model designed to minimize carbon emissions, from using clean energy to improving urban infrastructure and operations. Notable examples are major cities around the world that have introduced strategies and invested in green buildings, efficient public transportation systems, and encouraged the use of environmentally friendly transportation.

Developing low-carbon cities not only brings environmental benefits by reducing carbon emissions but also enhances the quality of life for residents by improving living spaces and reducing urban pollution impacts. These efforts are strongly driven by commitments from countries, international organizations, and communities to achieve sustainable development goals and build a cleaner, greener future for future generations.

Nghe Nhan