HCMC accelerates greenhouse gas reductions

Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Bui Minh Thanh has just signed and issued Official Dispatch No. 2172/UBND/DT to relevant agencies and units regarding the implementation of conclusions from the sixth meeting of the National Steering Committee for the implementation of Viet Nam's commitments at the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26).

Accordingly, the Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee has directed relevant departments, sectors, and units to urgently implement the Prime Minister's directives, as set out in Notice No. 35/TB-VPCP dated January 20, 2026, issued by the Government Office.

To promote greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions, the Department of Agriculture and Environment will chair and coordinate with communes, wards, and special administrative units in implementing measures to reduce GHG emissions in agriculture and waste management. The Department of Science and Technology will step up research, development, and application of advanced technologies to reduce GHG emissions. The Department of Industry and Trade will undertake measures to mitigate GHG emissions in the energy and industrial sectors and implement reporting and verification requirements for industrial manufacturing enterprises, particularly major energy-consuming businesses.

The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Agriculture and Environment, the Department of Industry and Trade, and the Department of Construction are responsible for synthesizing GHG inventory results and emission mitigation outcomes of facilities across the city that are subject to mandatory GHG inventories. They will also implement other GHG management tasks assigned under Decision No. 3220/QD-UBND dated December 16, 2025, issued by the City People's Committee. In addition, these agencies will mobilize international resources, strengthen research cooperation, and implement international cooperation programs and projects to facilitate technology transfer and enhance officials' capacity for GHG emission management.

At the same time, the Department of Agriculture and Environment will chair and coordinate with the Department of Industry and Trade and the Department of Construction in synthetizing biennial reports on GHG inventories of facilities as stipulated in Decree No. 06/2022/ND-CP (amended by Decree No. 119/2025/ND-CP), to be submitted to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and relevant line ministries before June 30 of the reporting year. The unit will also consolidate annual reports on GHG emission mitigation results for facilities and submit them to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment before June 30 each year, starting in 2027.

Regarding the task of accelerating transport electrification and developing green transport and green infrastructure as assigned by the Prime Minister, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Construction will take the lead, in coordination with the Department of Industry and Trade and People's Committees of communes, wards, and special administrative units, to develop green transport systems and public transport powered by clean energy; formulate and implement policies to support vehicle transition; and convert public transport to electric vehicles.

To promote renewable energy development, advance a just energy transition, and effectively implement Resolution No. 70-NQ/TW, the Department of Industry and Trade will review and integrate climate change response measures, green growth strategies, and energy efficiency solutions into sectoral development strategies and planning. The unit will also continue to study and propose policies to attract investment in solar and wind power plants that use new technologies meeting environmental standards, thereby supplementing the city's on-site power supply.

For other related tasks assigned by the Prime Minister in the Notice No. 35/TB-VPCP, the Department of Science and Technology will chair and coordinate with the Department of Industry and Trade, the Department of Construction, the Department of Agriculture and Environment, and People's Committees of communes, wards, and special administrative units to fulfill scientific research, technological development, and innovation tasks aimed at proposing solutions to reduce GHG emissions across the city.

The Department of Industry and Trade and the Department of Finance will not advise on attracting or approving investment in projects with high GHG emission intensity or those using outdated technologies. Instead, they will encourage projects that adopt advanced, energy-efficient technologies, as well as projects involving clean and innovative technologies in industrial production to minimize pollution sources.

In parallel, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Agriculture and Environment will coordinate with the MAE to implement tasks as requested by the Ministry regarding GHG emission reduction, climate change adaptation, and other related assignments. At the same time, monitor implementation progress and advise the City People's Committee to promptly address difficulties and obstacles and report to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment in accordance with regulations.