Net Zero commitment and Viet Nam’s strategic vision

Not chasing economic growth at all costs

At COP26 in 2021, Viet Nam, along with over 140 countries, announced its goal to achieve net-zero emissions by mid-century. Several significant global commitments were also established, including reducing global methane emissions, ending deforestation and forest degradation, and transitioning from coal-fired power to clean energy.

At COP27 in 2022, Viet Nam unveiled its updated NDC, receiving strong international support as it substantially raised its greenhouse gas reduction targets for 2030. Compared to its previous commitments, the unconditional domestic target increased from 9% to 15.8%, while the conditional target with international support rose from 27% to 43.5% (relative to total emissions under a business-as-usual development scenario).

Viet Nam’s NDC represents its highest-level commitment to achieving NetZero. Guided by the principle of “not sacrificing progress, social equity, and the environment in pursuit of mere economic growth,” Viet Nam emphasizes that green growth must help restructure the economy and transform the growth model to achieve economic prosperity, environmental sustainability, and social equity, thereby advancing a green, carbon-neutral economy and contributing to global temperature goals.

This perspective was reiterated by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at the 2024 G20 Summit in Brazil. He also proposed that achieving net-zero emissions requires focusing on three key transformations: digital transformation, green transformation, and energy transformation. Digital transformation serves as the foundation, green transformation as the central driver, and energy transformation as the means to promote sustainable development and reduce carbon emissions. Throughout this process, people remain at the center as the key development resource, while ensuring equity, social welfare, and environmental protection.

Five pillars of emission reduction

From 2020 to 2025, emission reduction solutions have continued to be strengthened across the five pillars outlined in Viet Nam’s NDC: energy; agriculture; land use, land-use change, and forestry (LULUCF); waste management; and industrial processes.

In the energy sector, the government, ministries, and local authorities have promoted the development of renewable energy, mainly wind and solar power; encouraged energy efficiency and conservation measures; and supported the adoption of electric transportation. The potential reduction in emissions by 2030 is estimated at over 154 million tons of CO₂ equivalent (MtCO₂e).

In agriculture, efforts focus on transforming farming practices, managing fertilizers efficiently, processing agricultural by-products, and developing sustainable livestock systems. The potential reduction in emissions by 2030 is estimated at over 96 MtCO₂e.

In the forestry sector, Viet Nam has focused on protecting and sustainably developing natural forests, promoting forest regeneration, establishing new plantations, implementing sustainable forest management practices, and participating in forest carbon credit mechanisms. The sector’s potential for greenhouse gas absorption is estimated to reach approximately 100 million tons of CO₂ equivalent (MtCO₂e) by 2030.

In waste management, priorities include source separation of waste, modern treatment technologies (such as waste-to-energy incineration), recycling, reuse, and energy production from waste. The potential reduction in emissions by 2030 is estimated at nearly 38 MtCO₂e.

For industrial processes, the emphasis is on adopting low-carbon production technologies, utilizing alternative fuels and industrial by-products, recovering and recycling industrial greenhouse gases, and employing environmentally friendly refrigerants. This sector has the greatest potential for emission reductions, with projections reaching nearly 210 MtCO₂e by 2030.

Since COP26, Viet Nam's policies on resource management, environmental protection, and green finance have increasingly aligned with practical needs. Notably, many policies now actively create conditions and incentives for businesses to transition their production processes toward green practices, comply with low-carbon and environmental standards, and adopt environmental, social, and governance (ESG) frameworks, further supporting the country’s sustainable development goals.

COP30, held from 10-21 November 2025 in Belém, Brazil, is the 30th UN Climate Change Conference, focusing on key objectives such as strengthening emission reduction commitments (NDCs), protecting the Amazon rainforest, promoting climate finance for developing countries, and safeguarding the rights of indigenous peoples. The conference also emphasizes the importance of climate justice, transparency, and urgent action to maintain the 1.5°C goal under the Paris Agreement. It represents a critical opportunity for nations to enhance international cooperation while confronting challenges related to costs, protests, and political pressures, aiming to achieve substantive progress in combating climate change.