Vietnam, an early signatory to the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer and the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer in 1994, has been actively working to phase out ozone-depleting substances and improve its institutional framework for climate change response.

Mai Kim Lien, Deputy Director of the Department of Climate Change under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, highlighted Vietnam's proactive engagement in international climate agreements and its introduction of specific regulations in the 2020 Law on Environmental Protection.

A pivotal step forward came on June 11 when the Prime Minister issued the national plan for the management and phasing out of ozone-depleting substances and controlled greenhouse gases, she added.

Under a recent decision, the PM expanded the list of facilities required to report their greenhouse gas emissions to 2,171, an increase of 259 from 2022. These facilities collectively account for around 30% of Vietnam's total greenhouse gas emissions.

This initiative aligns with the Party's guidelines and the State's policies on climate adaptation, green transition, and low-carbon economic development. It also supports Vietnam's commitment to its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and its goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Crucially, it helps Vietnam fulfill its obligations under the Paris Agreement, with an ambitious goal of controlling at least 85% of major emission sources, depending on the country's capabilities.

The decision also specifies the responsibilities of municipal and provincial People's Committees and relevant ministries for the work./.VNA