(VOVWORLD) - The UN General Assembly observes April 22 as International Mother Earth Day, commonly known as Earth Day, to raise public awareness about protection of the natural environment. Vietnam has actively engaged in environmental protection and aims to achieve the dual task of saving energy and reducing the state budget.
Fossil fuels are running out globally. According to forecasts of international organizations and experts, by 2050, Vietnam’s energy demand will increase 15 fold and carbon emissions 26% compared to 2000. Without prompt policies on sustainable energy development, Vietnam will likely face serious energy shortages.
The Vietnamese government has adopted the National Program on Energy Saving and Efficiency in the 2019-2030 period and aims to save 5-7% of total national energy consumption by 2025 and 8-10% or 60 million tons of oil equivalent (TOE).
The program has total funding of 357 million USD, to which the State budget contributes 192 million USD and domestic credit organizations contribute the rest.
Deputy Head of the Party Central Committee’s Economic Commission Nguyen Duc Hien said: "Conserving energy, using energy efficiently, and protecting the environment are the primary national policies and are the responsibility of the whole society. Vietnam aims to save 7% of total energy consumption by 2030 and 14% by 2045."
Vietnam is now shifting from an economy using traditional fuels to one of hybrid energy and aims to become one of the countries using the highest levels of solar power, with around 16.6 GW by the end of 2020.
Under the National Program on Energy Saving and Efficiency, by 2025, Vietnam aims to reduce energy consumption by 6.5% and have 90% of provinces and cities implementing the program on energy saving and efficiency.
Over the past years, Vietnam has contributed greatly to global efforts to respond to climate change.
At COP26 in October, 2021, Vietnam, together with nearly 150 countries, pledged to reduce methane emission to zero by the middle of this century.
Vietnam, together with 100 other countries, signed the Global Methane Pledge by 2030, and with 48 other countries signed the Global Coal to Clean Power Transition Statement.
Vietnam is encouraging and promoting the use of clean energy, also called green energy. Conserving energy and using energy efficiently is one of Vietnam’s priorities in achieving sustainable development.