5 urgent tasks to do
Concluding the first session at the "Workers' Forum for the Environment 2024", Mr. Le Cong Thanh - Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment - said that through the opinions presented, it can be affirmed that moving towards a sustainable economy is not only an urgent task but also a great opportunity to enhance competitiveness, improve quality of life and protect the environment.
Mr. Le Cong Thanh raised 5 main issues to note including:
Firstly, regarding green growth, it is necessary to promote policies that prioritize the development of clean technology, renewable energy and investment in environmentally friendly projects. The government and businesses need to coordinate to build favorable legal corridors and encourage sustainable production and consumption models.
Second, in developing a circular economy, the change in mindset from “produce – consume – dispose” to “reduce – reuse – recycle” needs to be promoted. This helps reduce resource waste, protect the environment, and create added value for businesses and the community.
Third, to achieve the emission reduction target, it is necessary to focus on strictly controlling industries with high risk of environmental pollution, while promoting the transition to clean, environmentally friendly energy sources and applying green technology.
Fourth, waste is not a “burden”, but a valuable resource if we know how to exploit it. To do this, it is necessary to first promote waste classification, build modern recycling plants and encourage research and application of advanced waste treatment technology.
Fifth, education and public awareness raising about the role of each individual in emission reduction must be promoted to each subject, each community, and each person.
Workers play an important role in protecting the environment.
Concluding the forum, Mr. Phan Van Anh - Vice President of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor assessed that the forum showed the urgency and importance of environmental protection activities. In which, the role of the working force in this issue was highlighted.
According to Mr. Phan Van Anh, recently, the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor has issued many synchronous and unified documents and regulations for enterprises producing environmentally friendly products, recycling enterprises, green growth and circular economy need to strengthen research and deploy advanced technology to recycle waste into useful, environmentally friendly products.
With the function of participating in the development of legal policies, the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor continues to actively participate and perfect technical and environmental standards and regulations in the collection, transportation and treatment of waste. At the same time, it strengthens the legal situation and implements the effectiveness of state management in environmental protection.
Recognizing the role and responsibility of trade union organizations, the General Confederation of Labor has regularly issued documents directing trade union levels to continue promoting propaganda, dissemination of legal education, and knowledge about environmental protection.
A series of emulation movements among cadres, civil servants, public employees and workers in environmental protection activities have also been actively implemented by the General Department of Labor.
Mr. Phan Van Anh emphasized that the forum of workers for the environment aims to strengthen the role of trade unions and workers in monitoring compliance with laws on environmental protection, rational use of natural resources and response to climate change, thereby providing specific solutions to promote sustainable production and consumption, and implementing the National Strategy on green growth.
The forum also aims to enhance the responsibility of each worker as an important factor in turning waste into gold. To achieve environmental protection goals, workers are the key factor.
Regarding the future direction for workers as Vietnam is moving towards the goal of Net Zero by 2050, Mr. Phan Van Anh affirmed that workers play a very important role in creating carbon credits and working with the community to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, CO2. From there, creating quality carbon credits. That is the way for workers to work on the roadmap to reduce net zero emissions by 2050.
