On August 31, 2023, the National Economics University in cooperation with Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in Vietnam successfully organized the International Seminar “Energy Transition for 2050 Net Zero in Vietnam and Taiwan” under the framework of the Taiwan Studies Project “Capacity Building in Training and Research on Low-carbon Economy in the context of Climate Change for the National Economics University in Vietnam in partnership with Universities and Research Institutes in Taiwan” in the period 2021-2024 funded by Ministry of Education, Republic of China (R.O.C) via TECO in Vietnam.
Overview of the International Seminar
Attending the International Seminar were representatives from Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in Vietnam: H.E. Steven Lin, Deputy Representative; from Taiwan Research Institute (TRI): Ms. Wan-ting Yen, Deputy Director of Research Division III; from Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam (MOIT): Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Hung, Head of Energy Economics Department, Institute of Energy; from THDV Green Development Investment Consulting Joint Stock Company: Dr. Mai Huy Tan, Chairman. From National Economics University (NEU): Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Duc Tho, Chairman of NEU Council, Prof. Dr. Tran Tho Dat, Chairman of NEU Academic Council; Prof. Dr. To Trung Thanh, Head of Department of Scientific Management; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dinh Duc Truong, Dean of Faculty of Environmental, Climate Change and Urban Studies; Dr. Pham Sy Long – Deputy Head of Department of International Cooperation; and other researchers, officers and practitioners from several universities, research institutes, government agencies, and non-governmental organizations in Vietnam as well as students of the Faculty of Environment, Climate Change and Urban Studies and other faculties of the National Economics University.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Duc Tho, Chairman of NEU Council delivers the opening speech
On behalf of the National Economics University, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Duc Tho thanked and welcome lecturers and experts who attended the Seminar. In his welcome speech, Assoc. Dr. Bui Duc Tho affirmed that important goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions to combat climate change have been committed at the 26th United Nations Climate Change Summit (COP 26) in 2021. Putting the energy sector on a pathway to achieve net zero emission by 2050 as committed at COP26 is critical. Transition to a low-carbon energy pathway is widely acknowledged as an inevitable trend in the future through increasingly shifts away from carbon emitting fossil fuels, enhancement of energy efficiency, renewable energy, and low-carbon technologies. However, energy transition is not only about the technology change from fossil fuels to renewables. It also has to deal with the social, economic, and environmental aspects of the development of clean energies. Therefore, energy transition can also help address other important global concerns such as energy price volatility and energy security as well as bring economic and social benefits to consumers and businesses around the world. While Vietnam exhibits a strong commitment to embracing sustainable energy, its energy sector has encountered multifaceted challenges stemming from a lack of practical experience and technology; Taiwan stands as a prominent country in Asia actively involved in researching climate change mitigation solutions and formulating policies centered around energy efficiency and renewable energy. Hence, the exchange of policies and practices regarding the energy transition for 2050 net zero in both Vietnam and Taiwan assumes a pivotal role.
H.E. Steven Lin, Deputy Representative of TECO in Vietnam in his welcome speech emphasized that countries are adopting diverse approaches across key dimensions of their net zero targets. Accelerating the energy transition is an urgent and challenging task. It will require farsighted choices, wise investments and enhanced international cooperation on technology development and finance. Being an industrialized economy, Taiwan attaches greater importance to the development of green energy and low-carbon industries through energy transition roadmap for energy sources and users. Taiwan has many experiences in planning and implementation of green energy and carbon reduction technologies concerning the development of the Taiwan's energy intensive industries from perspective of climate change. Taiwan always wishes to expand international cooperation with other countries including Vietnam. Therefore, international cooperation between Vietnam and Taiwan in sharing policies and practices about energy transition is crucial in the context that both countries aim to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.
Welcome speech by H.E. Steven Lin, Deputy Representative, TECO in Vietnam
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vu Thi Hoai Thu, National Economics University presented the opportunities and challenges of achieving the net zero emissions target by 2050 in Vietnam as well as proposed actions that Vietnam needs to take in the coming period to achieve this goal. Vietnam has committed to achieving a net zero emissions target by 2050 at the United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP26) in 2021. Although Vietnam has developed and implemented laws, strategies and action plans related to sustainable use of natural resources, environmental protection and response to climate change, Vietnam needs to translate the net zero emissions target into a roadmap for sectors and localities, improve the legal and policy framework related to climate change and net zero emissions, and expand networks, platforms, and forums among policy makers, researchers, businesses and communities to share information, experiences and attract resources to carry out mitigation measures towards achieving the net zero emissions target by 2050.
Presentation “Policies and Practices for 2050 Net Zero in Vietnam” by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vu Thi Hoai Thu, National Economics University, Vietnam
Ms. Wan-ting Yen, Taiwan Research Institute (TRI) provided the international context and the changes in net emission greenhouses gases of major countries, following by the milestones in Taiwan's 2050 Net-zero transition target since 2021. Taiwan has enacted many laws, policies and innovations to promote a low-carbon economy, especially Taiwan's Pathway to Net Zero Emissions (NZE) in 2050 and Climate Change Response Act. Taiwan intends to achieve net zero emissions (NZE) by 2050 and has published a NZE plan. Four key pillars to achieve 2050 Net Zero in Taiwan (energy transition, industrial transformation, sustainable lifestyles, and a fair process for all) have been integrated with two foundations in governance (net-zero/negative emission technology and climate legislation). Particular focuses are placed on 12 key strategies: wind/solar PV, hydrogen, innovative energy, power system and energy storage, energy saving and efficiency, carbon capture, utilization and storage, carbon-free and electric vehicles, resource recycling and zero waste, carbon sinks, green lifestyle, green finance, and just transition. Energy transition for 2050 Net Zero in Taiwan places priorities on wind power, solar PV, system integration and energy storage, new energies (hydrogen, deep geothermal, ocean).
Presentation “Energy Transition for 2050 Net Zero in Taiwan” by Ms. Wan-ting Yen, Taiwan Research Institute, Taiwan
In the presentation from Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam (MOIT), Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Hung pointed out that to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, Vietnam needs not only significant capital but also efficient technology and know-how across the sector’s spectrum, from efficient solutions for the traditional coal power plant to the effective development of waste to energy, solar, and wind energy, flexible gas engine, energy storage, and a comprehensive smart grid system that enables efficient operation of the domestic energy market and with neighboring countries. International investors and technology providers are working with the government of Vietnam to meet the needs of the country’s energy development.
Presentation “Energy Transition for 2050 Net Zero in Vietnam” by Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Hung, Institute of Energy, Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam
In the discussion session, Dr. Mai Huy Tan from THDV Green Development Investment Consulting Joint Stock Company put forth six strategies aimed at achieving a reduction of 500 billion tons of CO2 by 2050. These strategies are framed from the perspective of business firms, since there is a growing awareness among businesses about their environmental and climate change impacts. Many companies are actively seeking methods to decrease their carbon footprint and enhance their sustainability efforts. In addition to enrich presentations and discussion between keynote speakers and guests, in the Seminar, the Special Issue of Economics and Management of Natural Resources, Environment, Urban, Climate Change and Sustainable Development issued by Journal of Economics and Development (English version) was introduced and gained many attentions among readers.
In the closing remarks, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Duc Tho reaffirmed that the National Economics University will continue to promote training and research on low-carbon economy in the context of climate change, and expressed the hope to receive further support from institutions in Taiwan and Vietnam to achieve the goals.
News and photos: Faculty of Environment, Climate Change and Urban Studies and Department of Communication