Vietnam on the journey toward green and sustainable development

With its commitment at COP26, Vietnam set the goal of reducing at least 30% of total methane emissions by 2030 compared to 2020 levels. This is not only a major challenge but also an opportunity for Vietnam to promote green transformation, improve production efficiency, and enhance the quality of life.

The threat from the “invisible enemy”

Methane is often less noticed than CO₂, yet it has a global warming potential 25 times higher than CO₂ over a 100-year period and up to 80 times higher in the first 20 years. This gas mainly comes from agricultural activities such as rice cultivation and livestock farming, solid waste and wastewater treatment, and fossil fuel extraction and use.

In 2022, the Prime Minister approved the Methane Emissions Reduction Action Plan to 2030. This document clearly set the target of cutting emissions by at least 30% compared to 2020, equivalent to about 27 million tons of CO₂ equivalent. To achieve this goal, the plan focuses on three main emission sectors: agriculture, waste, and energy.

In agriculture, Vietnam aims to reduce emissions from rice cultivation by widely applying climate-smart practices such as alternate wetting and drying (AWD). This method not only helps reduce irrigation water use by 40–50% but can also cut methane emissions from rice fields by up to 30%. In livestock farming, the Government encourages the development of household and farm-scale biogas digesters, which both treat waste effectively and provide clean cooking gas, thereby significantly reducing methane emissions into the environment.

In the waste sector, the plan targets that by 2030, at least 70% of urban municipal waste will be collected and treated with modern methods, reducing the direct landfill rate to below 30%. Instead, organic waste will be processed through composting technologies, compost fertilizer production, or landfill gas-to-energy generation.

In the energy sector, Vietnam seeks to cut methane emissions from oil, gas, and coal mining, processing, and transportation. Solutions include installing leak recovery systems and utilizing associated gas in oil extraction for power generation instead of flaring. This not only reduces emissions but also helps increase the supply of clean energy as an alternative to fossil fuels.

Community and businesses must join hands

A key highlight of Vietnam’s methane reduction action plan is encouraging the participation of the whole society. The Government has identified that reducing methane emissions cannot rely solely on State efforts but requires joint efforts from citizens and businesses.

In agriculture, cooperatives and farmer organizations are encouraged to adopt low-emission farming models. Many pilot projects supported by FAO, UNDP, or the World Bank have proven effective. For example, in the Mekong Delta, the “Improving water management for agriculture” project has helped more than 30,000 households adopt AWD irrigation, saving tens of millions of cubic meters of water and reducing methane emissions by about 15–20%.

Environmental companies are encouraged to invest in advanced treatment technologies in the waste sector. For instance, waste-to-energy plants not only help reduce methane emissions but also open new directions for the circular economy by turning waste into resources.

Opportunities within challenges

Despite difficulties, Vietnam’s prospects for achieving the methane reduction target remain fairly positive if there is synchronized coordination among the State, businesses, and citizens. In fact, many localities have already demonstrated the effectiveness of the solutions. For example, in Can Tho City, climate-smart rice farming models have helped farmers increase their incomes by 10–15% thanks to savings in water and fertilizer costs, while also reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Reducing methane emissions by 2030 is one of the key tasks in Vietnam’s climate change response strategy. With the national action plan already in place and the joint efforts of the whole society, Vietnam is fully capable of achieving the goal of cutting at least 30% of methane emissions. At the same time, stronger international cooperation, wider technology transfer, and proactive participation from local communities will further reinforce Vietnam’s determination toward a green, resilient, and sustainable development pathway. This success will not only contribute to fulfilling international commitments but also bring practical benefits: improving agricultural production efficiency, enhancing living environments, developing a circular economy, and building a green and sustainable future for generations to come.