Achieving Net Zero goals through a clean energy ecosystem

Major cities in Vietnam, such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and other industrial hubs, are facing dual pressures from rapid urbanization and worsening air pollution. As a result, energy transition and the development of a clean energy ecosystem have become an urgent necessity.

Statistics show that transportation, fossil fuel-based industries, and construction activities are the primary sources of PM2.5 fine dust and CO₂ emissions in urban areas. To achieve Net Zero emissions by 2050, Vietnam cannot delay its energy transition if it aims to both protect the environment and pursue sustainable economic development.

Speaking at the “Green Energy - Clean City” forum held on the morning of November 7 in Hanoi, Mr. Ta Dinh Thi, Deputy Chairman of the National Assembly’s Committee on Science, Technology and Environment, emphasized: “Developing a clean energy ecosystem is not merely a technical solution but a reflection of a green development vision - a commitment by Vietnam to the international community for a sustainable future.”

He emphasized that, with its role as the National Assembly’s focal point for policy institutionalization, the Committee on Science, Technology and Environment is actively overseeing and strengthening the legal framework to ensure the energy transition is implemented comprehensively and in a coordinated manner.

According to Mr. Ta Dinh Thi, achieving low-emission urban areas goes beyond merely replacing vehicles with electric or biofuel-powered models; it requires establishing an integrated network of clean energy, green transportation, and emission management. He noted that the transport sector still relies heavily on fossil fuels, while the power sector depends significantly on coal and gas. Therefore, simply addressing the “end-use” without transforming the “source” will make environmental targets difficult to achieve. Building a clean energy ecosystem, including renewable power generation, transitional fuels, charging infrastructure, and green fuel stations, must be treated with equal importance to emission control measures.

In major urban centers, energy consumption accounts for a very high proportion of total use and is also a significant source of emissions. “If we do not synchronize supply, technology, and policy, we will only address the symptoms without resolving the root bottlenecks at the source,” Mr. Ta Dinh Thi emphasized. In its role, the National Assembly will push for a review of existing regulations and propose additional provisions on fuels, technologies, and transportation to establish a legal framework aligned with the global energy transition.

In practice, Mr. Thi noted that the shift to clean energy requires not only capital and technology but also coordinated action among ministries, local authorities, and businesses. He stated, “Policies must encourage enterprises to participate in the clean energy value chain, creating incentives for technological innovation and the development of high-quality human resources.” Accordingly, the Committee will work closely with the Ministries of Industry and Trade, Science and Technology, and Agriculture and Environment to promote wind and solar power, biofuels, and green hydrogen.

One of the solutions Mr. Thi highlighted is the implementation of “green energy stations” in major urban centers, which would simultaneously provide LNG, biofuels, electric charging, and hydrogen for public transport and green logistics. He noted that these stations will serve as a critical link connecting transportation, energy, and smart city systems. At the same time, he emphasized the need to complete transmission networks and charging infrastructure, while encouraging on-site power generation and consumption to reduce pressure on the national grid.

Regarding the legal framework, Mr. Thi said the Committee is accelerating the revision and supplementation of decrees and laws related to renewable energy and new fuels. “We are not just updating technical standards; we must create a favorable, transparent, and controlled environment for development,” he stated. He also called for strengthened investment oversight, mobilization of private capital, and the establishment of green financing mechanisms to support businesses in the energy transition.

Looking ahead, Mr. Thi expressed confidence that, if implemented systematically and in coordination, Vietnam will gradually shape a clean-energy, green-transportation, low-emission urban ecosystem, contributing to the realization of the net-zero emissions target. He urged, “Let us turn today’s decisions into concrete actions - for the living space of our people and the future of our country.”