Page 56 - Ebook HTKH 2024

3. Recommendations for Vietnam to develop a green economy
Although Vietnam has spent a long time preparing to transform into a green
economy, we have not gained much. According to the Green Match statistic
(McClelland,2024), Vietnam’s effort to reduce CO2 emissions per capita is quite good
(3.27 tons), which makes the country rank 21 . However, its ranks in other studies may
st
require a significant improvement: 178th on the EPI, 56th on the GFI, and 53rd for the
lowest annual average PM2.5 concentrations (24.7 μg/m³). Affordable and clean energy,
sustainable cities and communities, and climate action still challenge us.
To improve our rank, the government should focus on those challenging factors to
accelerate the green economy.
Affordable and clean energy
Like Switzerland, Vietnam now has diverse energy sources: hydroelectricity,
thermal power, wind power, and solar power. Hydroelectricity and thermal power are

the two main sources. However, storing enormous amounts of water for hydroelectricity
can cause floods in rainy seasons, and dust from thermal power may cause air pollution.
If the government and industry experts can discuss better electricity allocation for wind
and solar power, we can deal with the problem of affordable and clean energy.
Educate residents about green economy
Transforming into a green economy is for the country's population and

development. The more people know about and commit to it, the more successful it can
be. People should know what it is, its aims, and how they can contribute to it. For
example, individuals can help reduce CO2 emissions by using fewer private vehicles,
saving energy at home, and producing less waste.
Green education can be provided at schools, where children learn to classify, reuse,
recycle, and reduce rubbish. Companies and organizations can set KPIs to increase
productivity while saving energy such as water, paper, electricity, and petroleum. They

can also encourage employees to go to work by public transport, etc. If these activities
are carried out properly, the environment can be improved.
Encourage research and invention to support green economy
Vietnam is an agricultural country. We are one of the 15 biggest exporters in the
world and the second biggest in Southeast Asia. These achievements are paid off by
environmental pollution, as farmers use a lot of chemicals during production. If

companies can invent machines that help reduce weeds and insects, farmers can practice
safe agriculture. It is good for land, underground water, and the end-users.
Revise, reassess, and adjust the plan
This step is necessary for any program as things change too fast now. Climate
change is being cared about more and more as it changes unpredictably. Therefore, in
addition to long-term strategies, we had better be flexible with short-term ones. Revising
periodically if any green economy-related KPI shows a problem and making time
adjustments are what countries do if they want to develop sustainably.

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