Vietnam protects the ozone layer in line with net-zero emissions pursuit

On September 15 in Hanoi, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment hosted a national workshop titled "Ozone Layer Protection for a Green Transition: Fostering Intergovernmental and Public-Private Cooperation.”

Deputy Minister Le Cong Thanh chaired the workshop, which was attended by representatives from the Multilateral Fund, government agencies, local authorities, international organizations such as the World Bank, UNEP, ETP, GGGI, UNDP, ADB, and GIZ, as well as research institutes, universities, experts, and businesses across relevant sectors.

Protecting earth’s ‘shield’ together

The year 2025 marks the 40th anniversary of the Vienna Convention, which opened a new era of global cooperation on ozone layer protection. The Montreal Protocol, which followed in 1987, has become one of the most successful international environmental treaties in history.

After four decades of global collaboration, humanity has eliminated 99% of ozone-depleting substances, significantly contributing to the recovery of the ozone layer, the “shield” that protects life on Earth. The Scientific Assessment Panel of the Montreal Protocol has confirmed that the ozone layer is on track to return to its 1980 levels by around 2040.

According to Deputy Minister Le Cong Thanh, global efforts have reduced emissions by the equivalent of 135 billion tons of CO₂ since 1990, contributing about 25% to the global goal of limiting the rise in Earth’s temperature.

“This is a vivid testament to the success of integrating science, policy, and international cooperation to achieve major progress in protecting human health and ecosystems, while fostering sustainable socioeconomic development,” Deputy Minister Le Cong Thanh emphasized.

Vietnam joined the Vienna Convention and the Montreal Protocol in 1994. Over the past three decades, with strong support from the international community, particularly the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol, the World Bank, UNEP, and other development partners, Vietnam has successfully phased out many ozone-depleting substances and is on track to manage and eliminate HCFCs and HFCs. This collaboration has also helped businesses transition to climate-friendly technologies and promote sustainable cooling solutions. In 2023, Vietnam joined the Global Cooling Pledge.

In recent years, Vietnam has strengthened its legal framework for ozone layer protection to more effectively manage controlled substances. International regulations have been incorporated into the 2020 Law on Environmental Protection and implementing decrees, such as Decree No. 06/2022/ND-CP and Decree No. 119/2025/ND-CP. This framework provides a crucial foundation for Vietnam to manage its efforts comprehensively and consistently, linking ozone layer protection with other national priorities such as greenhouse gas reduction and the green transition.

Statistics from the International Ozone Secretariat show that as of August 2025, Vietnam had eliminated approximately 240 million tons of CO₂ equivalent through its management and phase-out of controlled substances under the Montreal Protocol. Deputy Minister Le Cong Thanh affirmed that these results demonstrate Vietnam’s commitment to implementing the Vienna Convention and the Montreal Protocol and its active cooperation with other nations.

Achieving national climate and environmental goals

Tina Chondraki Birmpili, Head of the Multilateral Fund Secretariat for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol, noted that in the refrigeration sector, demand for refrigerant management is increasing to meet both ozone layer protection and greenhouse gas reduction goals. The Multilateral Fund has a long-standing partnership with Vietnam, with 90 projects approved totaling around USD 30 million. This support has helped develop legal and technical frameworks to meet the requirements of the Montreal Protocol, assisting Vietnam in building strategies and plans to phase out ozone-depleting substances and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The fund recently provided new support for Vietnam’s action plan to implement the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol. Vietnam was one of the first countries to propose this plan, with solutions focused on energy efficiency. The two sides will continue working together to approve proposals in the near future.

According to Le Ngoc Tuan, Deputy Director General of the Department of Climate Change (Ministry of Agriculture and Environment), the current Law on Environmental Protection sets out regulations for ozone layer protection in Vietnam. Regarding the phase-out of these substances, the law regulates production, export, import, consumption, and elimination of controlled substances under the international treaties to which Vietnam is a party. It also covers lifecycle management, including the collection, recycling, reuse, or destruction of controlled substances contained in equipment. Furthermore, the law encourages the development and application of technologies and equipment that do not deplete the ozone layer and are climate-friendly.

In the coming years, by implementing the National Plan on the Management and Phase-Out of Controlled Ozone-Depleting and Greenhouse Gas Substances for 2024–2045, Vietnam anticipates directly reducing over 11 million tons of CO₂ equivalent from HFC consumption. By taking additional measures such as transitioning to low- or zero-global warming potential substances, implementing lifecycle management through proper collection, recycling, and destruction, and promoting sustainable cooling solutions, greenhouse gas emissions will be reduced further, contributing to the net-zero target by 2050.

Vietnam’s ozone layer protection activities not only directly support ozone restoration but are also closely linked to other national goals. The phase-out of these substances has been integrated into the national emission reduction roadmap, supporting Vietnam’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement. The process of technology transition, refrigerant collection, and recycling also creates opportunities to participate in carbon credit markets, access international financial mechanisms, and mobilize additional resources for businesses to innovate their technologies.

Going forward, Vietnam will continue implementing measures on ozone layer protection and sustainable cooling as part of its Climate Change Strategy to 2050 and the National Plan for the Management and Phase-Out of Controlled Substances. Sustainable cooling will also be integrated into updated NDCs, while new mechanisms, policies, and technical standards will guide greenhouse gas reduction and ozone protection. Additional financial resources will be mobilized to support projects transitioning to climate-friendly technologies.

The program included three discussion sessions: The Implementation of the Montreal Protocol in Vietnam and Global Contributions, Intergovernmental and Public-Private Cooperation in Ozone Layer Protection and Sustainable Cooling, and Support Tools for Montreal Protocol Compliance and Implementation.

Representatives from government agencies and experts provided a comprehensive assessment of Vietnam’s progress in fulfilling international commitments on ozone protection and shared insights on bilateral, multilateral, and public-private cooperation in managing and phasing out ozone-depleting substances and greenhouse gases for sustainable development.

During the event, pioneering companies such as Daikin and MZ Vina presented new tools, technological solutions, and initiatives for managing and phasing out ozone-depleting substances and greenhouse gases. This provided Vietnamese businesses with more information and opportunities to actively engage in the green transition.