Tang The Cuong, Director General of the Department of Climate Change, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, chairs an webinar titled "ASIA: Renewable Energy Continent". (Photo: VNA) Minister Tran Hong Ha, in his message to the webinar “Asia: Renewable EnergyContinent” held on Wednesday, said: “Climate change, environmental pollutionand ecosystem degradation are the crises to humanity today.
“The Sixth Assessment Report, Climate Change 2022 of the IntergovernmentalPanel on Climate Change (IPCC-AR6) once again sounds the alarm bell, that ifthe global warming is not controlled within 1.5 degree Celsius compared topre-industrial times, it will result in irreversible harm to human and naturalsystems.
“IPCC estimates that since 2008, devastating floods and storms have forced morethan 20 million people from their homes each year; while half the world’spopulation face water scarcity for at least one month every year.”
According to the International Energy Agency, global carbon emissions fromenergy combustion and industrial processes have increased to 36.3 billiontonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2021, the highest annual figure and an increase of6 per cent compared to 2020. At the same time, the World MeteorologicalOrganisation announced in May 2022 that the four key climate change indicators– greenhouse gas concentrations, sea-level rise, ocean heat and oceanacidification, have set new records in 2021.
This is yet another clear sign that human activities are causingplanetary-scale changes on land, in the ocean, and in the atmosphere, posingharmful and long-lasting ramifications for sustainable development andecosystems, Tăng Thế Cường, director general of the ministry's Department ofClimate Change, said while delivering the message on the minister's behalf.
This is the consequence of an unsustainable development model based mainly onfossil fuels over the past 150 years, he added. And this is not yet to mentionthe loss of millions of people around the world due to air pollution caused bythe use of fossil fuels.
"Therefore, if there is any delay in reducing carbon emissions andproviding support to climate change response, we will miss the goldenopportunity to ensure a habitable Earth and a sustainable planet for all in thefuture."
At the same time, recent conflicts in the world have been causing a continuoussurge in oil prices (oil price have reached 120 USD per barrel and are forecastto continue rising when major economies recover after the COVID-19 pandemic),affecting every aspect of socio-economic activities around the world. People indeveloping countries, in particular, are the ones most impacted. That has onceagain shown the unsustainability of the fossil fuel-based development model.
Climate and fossil fuel crises present us with a new growth opportunity bytransforming the development model, shifting from fossil fuels to renewableenergy obtained from solar and wind energy. Developing countries are beingpresented with the opportunity to leapfrog others towards clean energy, whichwill help with both socio-economic development and pollution reduction,especially air pollution.
The minister's message reiterated a speech made by UN Secretary-General AntonioGuterres: “Renewables are the only path to real energy security, stable powerprices and sustainable employment opportunities. If we act together, therenewable energy transformation can be the peace project of the 21st century.”
The Group of Seven (G7) has recently pledged to phase out coal power,reaffirming that shifting from fossil fuel to clean, renewable energy is theinevitable global trend.
Asia is the continent of the fastest economic growth in the world, and also ofthe highest level of energy consumption. The demand for energy in the region iscontinually rising due to urbanisation and industrialisation happening atbreakneck pace.
Asia is also a region with tremendous potential in renewable energy, alongsidesignificant knowledge and expertise in renewables. However, the rate ofrenewable energy remains modest in comparison to ‘traditional’ ones.
Therefore, along with economic model transformation, energy transition plays akey role in implementing the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, contributingto the net-zero emissions target by 2050, Ha said.
He suggested seven focus points to fully unleash the potential of renewableenergy, as well as accelerate the transition from fossil fuel to renewableenergy.
First, renewable energy needs to become a public good that serves all people,so that everyone can have access to and benefit from renewable energydevelopment and energy transition. In particular, communities or groups thatare adversely affected by energy transition need to be provided support interms of livelihoods and education for vocational transition.
Second, it is necessary to promote cooperation between countries in removingbarriers, including those in intellectual property rights, to spur the sharingof knowledge and drive collaboration in scientific research, development, andtechnology transfer in the field of renewable energy from developed countriesto developing ones.
Third, policies play a critical role in propelling energy transition. Therefore,policies and frameworks appropriate to each country are needed to encourage thebusiness community to increase investments in renewable energy, as well as topromote energy transition, from the planning stage, to licensing, management,and operation of renewable energy development projects.
Fourth, targets related to developing renewable energy, achieving net zeroemissions, and reducing air pollution should be established, which would serveas criteria for making investment decisions and developing energy projects. Inparticular, it is necessary to secure the commitment from and responsibleparticipation of the financial system, including multilateral developmentbanks, financial and credit institutions, through aligning their lendingportfolios towards accelerating the renewable energy transition.
Fifth, there should be increased investment in power transmission systems tomaximise the benefits of wind and solar energy production, and more investmentinto infrastructure projects that accelerate the application of cleantechnologies such as electric vehicles (EVs), for example, electric cars andmotorbikes.
Sixth, in addition to efforts to bolster energy transition and unleash thepotentials of renewable energy, it is necessary to synchronously implementother solutions, such as the restoration of natural ecosystems that areresilient to climate change to enhance adaptation capacity and carbonsequestration; promoting circular economy in order to make the most efficientuse of resources while conserving resources for future generations; anddeploying technology solutions for carbon capture and storage to contribute tothe realisation of net zero target; etc.
Finally, in order to promote renewable energy development in Asia commensuratewith its potentials, there should be active participation of media and pressagencies in the region. The news and media agencies will contribute tospreading the message on the urgency of energy transition, as well as helpingthe business community and people better understand about the economic,environmental, and social benefits brought about by renewable energy.
The official stressed that Vietnam is one of the countries heavily affected byclimate change. With the motto of action and responsibility, at COP26, the countryhas made strong commitments towards net zero emissions by 2050, shifting fromcoal fuel to renewable energy.
As one of the fastest growing economies in Southeast Asia with a great need forrenewable energy transition, the Government of Vietnam has developed a numberof mechanisms and policies to stimulate a robust development of renewableenergy, Hà said.
Vietnam’s solar PV capacity increased from merely 86MW in 2018 to about16,500MW in 2020, making it the country with the largest installed solar energycapacity in ASEAN, Ha said. Furthermore, the country was also among the topglobal 10 countries with the most installed solar capacity in 2020.
In terms of wind power potential, Vietnam has very favourable climate andterrain conditions for wind power development, and investment prospects arebright. Vietnam has the largest wind resource in the region with an estimatedpotential of 311GWs, thanks to the country’s long and narrow geography (thecountry boasts 3,000 kilometres of coastline, including hills and mountains).According to a World Bank study, more than 39 percent of areas in Vietnam havean annual wind speed of more than 6m/s (at 65m height), equivalent to wind energyof 512GW. As much as 8.6 percent of land and water areas in the country aredeemed suitable for large wind farms.
According to Ha, in order to promote the development of renewable energy andcontribute to the country’s international commitments, the VietnameseGovernment will continue to reform administrative procedures related tolicensing and management of renewable energy projects, gradually developingincentive mechanisms in accordance with the country’s condition for renewableenergy development projects, especially offshore wind power plants, hydrogenand ammonia production, geothermal power, and wave power.
“Any transition may encounter difficulties and challenges at the beginning.Therefore, the synergy between governments, businesses, and communities arevery crucial, including the mechanisms and policies development from thegovernments, investments from businesses, and the support from the community.
“This is the premise to attract more potential capital sources for renewableenergy in the future, as well as a demonstration of the national commitment andresponsibility in joining hands with the international community to address theglobal challenges related to climate and environment.”
The online conference was organised by the national English language dailynewspaper Viet Nam News, in collaboration with The Statesman from India, andThe Korea Herald from the Republic of Korea, who are members of the Asia NewsNetwork (ANN)./.
VNA
