The construction industry plans to respond to climate change

DNHN - The construction industry offers numerous opportunities and advantages for contributing to climate change response strategies and greenhouse gas emission reductions.

Carrying out the task assigned by the Minister of Construction to research and develop the "Construction sector's action plan to respond to climate change for the period 2021 - 2030, with a vision to 2050, to implement the Prime Minister's commitment to Government at the 26th Conference of Stakeholders to the United Nations Framework Convention (COP26)" to submit to the Minister for promulgation in the second quarter of 2022, the Department of Science, Technology and Environment together with experts from the Institute of The National Urban and Rural Planner has researched and developed the draft Plan and organized a wide workshop to collect opinions from scientists and management agencies inside and outside the industry. 

Accordingly, three primary sectors of the construction industry have the potential and advantages to contribute to the plan to address climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions: construction planning, urban development, and infrastructure urban engineering; exploitation and production of building materials; and design, construction, and project management. 

The action plan is divided into two phases (2021 – 2030) and (2031-2050). Between 2021 and 2030, climate change will be integrated into strategies, programs, master plans and development plans of the construction industry. Step by step perfect mechanisms, policies, laws and guiding documents of the Construction industry, ensuring that they are suitable to the situation of socio-economic development in the context of increasing risks from climate change. 

Create and implement a strategy outlining the sector's commitment to Vietnam's COP26 pledge to achieve net-zero by 2050. Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 5% during the next five years. The Construction Industry is projected to emit 74.3 million tons of CO2 equivalent (¬CO2eq) by 2030. 100 per cent of metropolitan areas incorporate climate change adaptation measures into planning projects and make general planning adjustments. 

Promote the development of construction works, urban technical infrastructure, green cities, and adapting to climate change. By 2025, complete the development of a set of criteria and a process for assessing and recognizing green urban areas and low-carbon urban areas. By 2030, at least 25% of new urban areas will meet the criteria of green urban areas with low carbon emissions.

100% of new investment projects and repair and renovation works must comply with regulations and standards on efficient and economical use of energy. Promulgate mechanisms to encourage the development of green buildings, green urban/urban areas, and low-carbon urban/urban areas. Promote production of green building material products. Complete the development of green product criteria for major building material products. 

By 2030, 25% of mostly locally manufactured building materials will be certified green, in addition to a variety of additional components such as human resource training, financial commitment, and international cooperation to carry out the plan. Between 2031 and 20manyr of specific tasks must be accomplished, including widespread development of construction materials, construction works, technical infrastructure, urbanization toward green, low-carbon cities, and adaptation to climate change. 

The goal is that by 2050, at least 50% of new urban areas and 10% of urban centres will meet the criteria of a green city with low carbon emissions. More than 50% of public investment projects meet green building criteria, and 100% of commercial and apartment buildings with consumption of over 1000TOE equivalent are certified low carbon emission buildings. Join the international carbon market. Strengthen international cooperation activities in research, development and application of advanced science and technology to respond to climate change. 

Tra Xanh