Awareness and action of the international community and Vietnam on green economic development

Assoc.Prof.,Dr. LE THI THUC
National Political Publishing House

1. Introduction

In the context of increasingly complex globalization and climate change, green economic development has emerged as an inevitable and urgent trend for every country in the world. A green economy not only aims to protect the environment but also aims to create a sustainable, inclusive, and equitable development model. The United Nations (UN), the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the European Union (EU), and the World Bank (WB) all consider the green economy a strategic focus to achieve sustainable development goals for the global community.

2. International community awareness of green economic development

The international community’s efforts on green economic development are reflected in resolutions, common strategies and grants to certain communities, countries and regions, aiming to promote the transition from traditional economic models to eco-friendly economies, reducing carbon emissions and using natural resources efficiently. In general, the international community’s awareness of green economic development has evolved significantly over many stages, as evidenced by the policies and action programs of numerous international organizations and countries.

Since the 1970s and 1980s, awareness of the relationship between economic development and the environment has begun to take shape and has become increasingly clear in several countries and international organizations. The connotation of the concept of sustainable development first received major international attention in 1972 at the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment organized in Stockholm, although the term was not explicitly mentioned. The concept has been more clearly defined since the United Nations Report on Our Common Future (also known as the Brundtland Report) in 1987, which emphasized the need to integrate economic development, environmental protection, equity, and social integration(1).

By the early 1990s, a number of international organizations almost simultaneously conducted research and issued official statements on the issue of sustainable development, laying the foundation for the content of green economic development later. Some important milestones include: The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) organized in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, also known as the Earth Conference, marking the first international effort to build action plans and strategies towards a model of sustainable development(2), with the official recognition of the concept of “sustainable development”; The World Bank emphasized the relationship between economic development and environmental protection in the “World Development Report 1992”: Development and Environment”, expressing the viewpoint of integrating environmental factors into development policies(3); the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) launched the sustainable development initiative in 1998(4), etc. The European Union (EC) has been concerned with environmental issues since the 1970s, but it was not until the early 2000s that the concept of “green economy” was mentioned. The EU Sustainable Development Strategy adopted in 2001 was one of the first efforts to integrate green economic factors into the union’s development policy(5).

Entering the 21st century, the issue of green economic development has made significant progress with the efforts of major international organizations. The United Nations has promoted green economic initiatives through the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The UNEP report “Towards a Green Economy” published in 2011, affirmed that the investment in green economic sectors can lead to long-term economic growth, sustainable employment, and reduced environmental impact(6). The EU is a typical example in promoting the realization of green economic development goals through the establishment of specific programs and policies, such as the Environmental Action Program and the Sustainable Development Strategy. These programs and policies focus on reducing carbon emissions, increasing the use of renewable energy and promoting green technology(7).

In 2011, the OECD released the report “Towards Green Growth”, which emphasized that economic growth and environmental protection can go hand in hand, and provided policy recommendations to promote countries’ transition to a green economy(8). In addition, the WB also implemented many programs and projects to support green economic development, especially in developing countries. In the 2012 report “Inclusive Green Growth: The Path to Sustainable Development”, the WB affirmed that a green economy can combine economic growth with environmental protection and social equity goals(9).

In recent years, green economic development has become a “key” element in the global sustainable development strategy. Countries and international organizations have recognized that the green economy is not only a solution to cope with climate change but also an opportunity to promote sustainable economic growth. The 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change is an important step forward in the global commitment to green economic development. This Agreement requires participating countries to set and achieve greenhouse gas-emission reduction targets to keep the global temperature increase below 2°C and continue efforts to limit the increase to 1.5°C by the end of this century compared to the pre-industrial period(10). The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted in 2015 have emphasized and integrated green economic development into many targets, particularly Goal 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), Goal 8 (Sustainable Economic Growth), Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), Goal 12 (Sustainable Consumption and Production), and Goal 13 (Climate Action). The OECD continues to develop policy tools and guidance to support member countries in the transition to a green economy, including assessing and measuring progress.

In 2019, the EU announced the “European Green Deal” strategy, representing a new step forward, aiming to make Europe the first carbon-neutral continent by 2050 and to transform the entire economy into a sustainable model, with a commitment to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. In fact, the EU has invested in renewable energy projects and clean technology development through the Innovation Fund and Horizon Europe programs(11). The WB is continuing to promote funding and technical assistance programs for developing countries, aiming to promote green economy and sustainable development.

Thus, in recent decades, the international community’s awareness of the green economy has made significant progress, from the initial recognition of the relationship between economy and environment, to the consolidation of views through specific reports and policies. Currently, the implementation of comprehensive and long-term strategies has been welcomed and committed to by many countries and international organizations. The UN, OECD, EU, and WB have played an important role in promoting and supporting countries in the transition to a green economy in order to achieve such global sustainable development goals.

3. Commitments and actions of some countries on green economic development

Many countries have actively transformed awareness into commitment and implemented specific measures and policies such as developing renewable energy, improving energy efficiency, supporting green technology development... to realize the goal of developing a green economy.

In Europe, Germany has invested heavily in renewable energy and leads Europe in wind and solar capacity. Germany’s Energiewende policy aims to increase the share of renewable energy in total energy consumption to 80% by 2050(12). Denmark has also committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2050 and is currently one of the leading countries in wind energy, with over 57% of the country’s electricity needs being supplied by wind power by 2023(13). With the passage of the Environment Act in 2017, Sweden aims to become a greenhouse gas-free country by 2045. In fact, the Swedish government has invested in many areas such as renewable energy, green technology and sustainable transport(14).

The United States, the world’s largest economy, has made significant strides in developing a green economy. From initial indifference, the United States has made a strong commitment in recent years, especially after joining the Paris Agreement on Climate Change in 2015. Under the Obama administration, the United States committed to cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 26–28% by 2025, compared to 2005 levels(15). The country has implemented policies to support renewable energy development and emissions reduction through the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Act and the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) green technology support programs. Awareness of the green economy has been reaffirmed and enhanced under the Biden administration. Shortly after taking office, President Joe Biden rejoined the Paris Agreement and announced ambitious plans to combat climate change, including a goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050(16). President Biden’s American Infrastructure Plan is one of the key initiatives to promote a green economy. The plan includes major investments in clean energy, modernizing the power grid, and developing clean transportation such as electric vehicles(17). The Inflation Reduction Act, to be passed in 2022, also includes provisions to reduce carbon emissions and promote renewable energy, dedicating billions of dollars to clean energy projects and encouraging the production and consumption of eco-friendly products(18).

Japan is one of the world’s leading developed countries, having demonstrated a strong commitment to international conferences on the environment and green economic development quite early. By signing and implementing the Paris Agreement in 2015, the Japanese Government pledged to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 46% compared to 2013’s levels by 2030(19). Implementing the 2020 National Green Development Strategy with the goal of achieving zero carbon emissions by 2050, the country has invested strongly in renewable energy, especially solar and wind energy. In 2023, Japan’s solar power generation capacity will reach approximately 87,000 MW(20). The Japanese government has also focused on investing in advanced technologies such as electric vehicles and energy storage systems, with a goal of increasing the number of electric vehicles to 30% of total vehicle sales by 2030(21). In addition, Japan has also implemented energy efficiency improvement programs in industry and construction, such as the Top Runner Program, which encourages companies to improve technology to meet higher energy efficiency standards(22).

China, the world’s second largest economy, has undergone a significant change in its perception of the importance of green economic development, especially in the face of serious environmental problems after its rapid growth. The Chinese government officially incorporated the concept of green development into its national strategies from the 12th Five-Year Plan (2011-2015). Along with actively participating in international environmental conferences, especially the Paris Agreement in 2015, China has pledged to peak carbon dioxide emissions around 2030 and increase the share of non-fossil energy in total energy consumption to around 20% by the same year(23). The goal of green development was also reinforced in the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-2020), with an emphasis on reducing carbon intensity and increasing the use of renewable energy. The 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) continues to emphasize promoting green policies, aiming to reach a peak in carbon emissions before 2030 and become carbon neutral before 2060(24). To implement these commitments and targets, the Chinese government has invested heavily in solar energy, wind energy, and energy storage technologies, while promoting policies to support the development of green technology. In addition, many strong measures have been taken to reduce air pollution, including closing coal-fired power plants and promoting the use of electric vehicles.

4. Vietnam’s awareness and actions on green economic development

The awareness of the Party and Government of Vietnam regarding green economic development has clearly developed over time. In the early stages, along with the general interest of the international community, Vietnam had several research reports showing interest in the relationship between economic development and environmental protection, laying the foundation for the general thinking about sustainable development and green economic development in particular. The “National Environmental Report” in 1998 was one of the first documents to systematize information on the environment, assess the situation of environmental pollution and degradation, thereby posing requirements for more sustainable development policies. Documents issued in the first decade of the 21st century, such as the National Strategy on Environmental Protection to 2010 and Orientations to 2020 (December 2, 2003), Vietnam Human Development Reports in 2001, 2004, 2006, etc., continued to emphasize the link between economic development, human development and environmental protection. Although the term “green economy” did not appear formally in the documents, these reports laid an important foundation for future green economic development policies.

The 11th Congress marked a turning point in the awareness of sustainable development and green economy in Vietnam(25). The 2011-2020 socio-economic development strategy identified the first guiding viewpoint as “rapid development associated with sustainable development, sustainable development is a requirement throughout the Strategy”, in which “Socio-economic development must always attach importance to environmental protection and improvement, proactively respond to climate change”(26), and orient towards “associating economic development with environmental protection, developing a green economy”(27), “Focusing on developing a green economy that is eco-friendly”(28). National programs and plans such as the National Strategy on Green Growth for the 2011-2020 period with a vision to 2050(29); the National Action Plan on Green Growth for the 2014-2020 period(30) all focus on important aspects such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing the use of renewable energy and improving resource efficiency, and so on.

The 12th Congress continued to affirm the role of green economic development in the country’s development strategy. The Congress determined the viewpoint of socio-economic development in the period of 2016 - 2020 including “ensuring rapid and sustainable development...; developing a knowledge economy, green economy”(31) and requiring the promotion of green economic sectors, economical use of resources, and environmental protection. During this period, Vietnam joined the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change and committed to implement relevant international agreements.

The 13th Congress marked an important step forward in improving awareness and implementing green economic development. The 13th Congress set the goal of sustainable and comprehensive development, in which “building a green, circular, and eco-friendly economy” is one of the important orientations(32). Implementing that guiding spirit, on October 1, 2021, the Government approved the Socio-Economic Development Strategy 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050, emphasizing the development of a green economy, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, promoting the use of renewable energy, and building circular economic sectors. This is a strong affirmation of Vietnam’s commitment to the goal of sustainable development and international integration(33). At COP26, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh pledged that Vietnam will achieve net zero emissions by 2050(34).

To achieve its set goals, Vietnam has invested strongly in renewable energy, especially solar and wind power. The government has implemented technical and financial support programs to promote businesses to improve energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, encourage businesses to invest in eco-friendly projects, and strengthen international cooperation to acquire advanced technology and management experience in sustainable development. As a result, Vietnam’s greenhouse gas emissions have decreased significantly over the past decade, achieving the goals set out in its strategies and action plans. Vietnam has become one of the fastest-growing solar energy markets in the world, with installed capacity increasing significantly in recent years. Environmental protection measures and energy efficiency improvements have helped Vietnam improve air quality and reduce pollution, especially in major urban areas.

The reality in pioneering regions and countries such as the EU, the US, Japan, China and Vietnam has shown that turning awareness into action, from commitments to the international community to specific and strong efforts at the national and regional levels, has brought about significant and important results in promoting the green economy, creating the foundation for a sustainable and prosperous future, and improving the quality of life for the people. The Party and the Government have gradually raised awareness of the importance of the green economy while implementing many specific policies so as to promote sustainable development and minimize environmental impact. These efforts not only demonstrate Vietnam’s strong commitment to responding to climate change but also open up new opportunities for sustainable and comprehensive economic development.

5. Conclusion

The awareness and actions on green economic development of the international community and Vietnam have reflected an inevitable change in the approach to economic development, shifting from unsustainable resource exploitation (brown economy) to a more sustainable development model (green economy). From the initial steps of recognizing the importance of the relationship between economic development and environmental protection to the implementation of specific policies and strategies, the green economy has become a key focus in the development strategies of many countries and international organizations. The results achieved in green economic development by the international community and Vietnam are clear evidence of the potential of the green economy in promoting sustainable development and protecting the global environment.

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Received: June 27, 2024; Revised: October 23, 2024; Approved for publication: November 20, 2024.

l Endnotes:

(1) G. H. Brundtland: Our Common Future: Report of the World Commission on Environment

and Development, 1987, https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org.

(2) William C. Clark and Alicia G. Harley: “Sustainability Science: Toward a Synthesis”, Annual Review of Environment and Resources, vol.45, 2020, https://doi.org.

(3) World Bank: World Development Report 1992: Development and the Environment, 1992, https://documents1.worldbank.org.

(4) Cited from Markku Lehtonen: “Mainstreaming Sustainable Development in the OECD through Indicators and Peer Reviews”, Sustainable Development, vol.16, 2008, https://www.academia.edu

(5) Commission of the European Communities: A Sustainable Europe for a Better World: A European Union Strategy for Sustainable Development, 2001, https://www.lag21.de.

(6) UNEP Towards a Green Economy: Pathways to Sustainable Development and Poverty Eradication, 2011, https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org.

(7) European Commission: Thematic Strategy on the Sustainable Use of Natural Resources, 2007, https://eur-lex.europa.eu.

(8) OECD: Towards Green Growth, 2011, https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org.

(9) World Bank: Inclusive Green Growth: The Pathway to Sustainable Development, 2012, https://documents1.worldbank.org.

(10) UNFCCC: The Paris Agreement, 2015, https://unfccc.int.

(11) European Commission: The European Green Deal, 2019, https://commission.europa.eu.

(12) Centre For Public Impact: Renewable energy in Germany: Energiewende, 2016, https://www.centreforpublicimpact.org.

(13) Statista: Distribution of electricity generation in Denmark in 2023, by source, 2024, https://www.statista.com.

(14) Government of Sweden: Sweden’s Climate Act and Climate Policy Framework, 2017, https://www.naturvardsverket.se.

(15) White House Archives: U.S. Leadership and the Historic Paris Agreement to Combat Climate Change, 2015, https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov.

(16) The White House: Fact Sheet: President Biden Sets 2030 Greenhouse Gas Pollution Reduction Target Aimed at Creating Good-Paying Union Jobs and Securing U.S. Leadership on Clean Energy Technologies, 2021, https://www.whitehouse.gov.

(17) The White House: The American Jobs Plan, 2021, https://www.whitehouse.gov.

(18) U.S. Congress: Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, 2022, https://www.congress.gov.

(19) Government of Japan: Japan’s Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC), 2015, https://unfccc.int.

(20) Statista: Generation capacity of solar energy Japan, 2014-2023, 2024, https://www.statista.com.

(21) Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry: Strategic Roadmap for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells, 2019, https://www.hydrogenenergysupplychain.com.

(22) Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry: Top Runner Programme: Developing the World’s Best Energy Efficient Appliance and More, 2015, https://policy.asiapacificenergy.org.

(23) UNFCCC: The Paris Agreement, 2015, https://unfccc.int.

(24) Nicholas Stern and Chunping Xie: “China’s new growth story: Linking the 14th Five-Year Plan with the 2060 carbon neutrality pledge”, Journal of Chinese Economic and Business Studies, vol.21 (1), 2023.

(25), (26), (27) CPV: Documents of the 11th National Party Congress, National Political Publishing House, Hanoi, 2012, pp.99, 107, 136.

(28) Prime Minister: Decision No. 1393/QD-TTg dated September 25, 2012 Approving the National Strategy on Green Growth.

(29) Prime Minister: Decision No. 403/QD-TTg Approving the National Action Plan on Green Growth for the 2014 - 2020 period.

(30) CPV: Documents of the 12th National Party Congress, National Political Publishing House, Hanoi, 2016, p.270.

(31) CPV: Documents of the 13th National Party Congress, vol.I, National Political Publishing House, 2021, p.117.

(32) Minh Quang: Vietnam’s energy and emission reduction policy, https://monre.gov.vn.