Facing air pollution
The Global carbon Budget Report - released at the UN COP29 Climate Summit in Azerbaijan - said that global CO2 emissions will reach a total of 41.6 billion tons in 2024. Most of these emissions come from burning coal, oil and gas. The report said that emissions from burning coal, oil and gas will reach a total of 37.4 billion tons in 2024.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stressed that climate change is no longer a problem for the future but a current crisis, requiring immediate action to minimize the consequences.
In Vietnam, people are facing air pollution, with immediate and long-term impacts on their health. On March 10, the Northern provinces recorded serious air pollution. From the beginning of January 2025 to now, Hanoi has been continuously ranked as the most polluted city in the world, with PM2.5 reaching 266 micrograms/m3, much higher than the recommendation of the World Health Organization (WHO). The main causes are believed to be traffic, industrial activities and garbage burning.
Reducing carbon emissions is very urgent
Associate Professor, Dr. Ho Quoc Bang, Director of the Center for Air Pollution and Climate Change Research, Institute of Environment and Natural Resources, said that through studies on environmental pollution in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, the research team found that there are 3 main sources of pollution: Traffic; industrial production facilities; power sources. In particular, traffic mainly emits pollutants such as NO2, CO (97.8%), SO2 (37.7%), NMVOC (42.9%), CH4, especially PM2.5 fine dust (18%).
Mr. Bang said that one of the strong solutions to solve the problem of environmental pollution in the world is to apply emission tax or pollution tax. However, Vietnam has not yet imposed this tax.
"In the coming time, if we want to have a mechanism to protect people from air pollution, we need to have stronger measures on taxes and other health protection measures. Currently, Vietnam is researching to implement this requirement. In addition, we are gradually replacing heavy fuel oil with lighter fuel," Mr. Bang shared.
Converting to electric vehicles is one of many solutions that experts expect. This has also been clearly demonstrated in Decision No. 876/QD-TTg dated July 22, 2022 of the Prime Minister "from 2025, 100% of buses will be replaced, investing in new electricity and green energy". From 2030, the proportion of vehicles using electricity and green energy will reach at least 50%; 100% of taxis will be replaced, new investment will be used for electricity and green energy.
According to the green energy conversion roadmap in Decision No. 876/QD-TTg, from 2025, 100% of buses will be replaced and invested in using electricity and green energy. The overall goal of the Strategy is to develop a green transportation system towards the goal of net greenhouse gas emissions of 0 by 2050.
Specific goals for the period up to 2030, improving energy efficiency, promoting the conversion of electricity and green energy for sectors in the transport sector that are technologically ready, institutional and resource ready to implement the commitment level in the National Assembly's National Assembly's contribution (NDC) and the goal of reducing methane emissions in Vietnam.
By 2050, develop reasonable transportation methods, strongly implement the conversion of all means, equipment, and transportation infrastructure to electricity and green energy, aiming for net greenhouse gas emissions to 0 by 2050.
Professor Daniel Kammen, University of California, Berkeley (USA) - highly appreciated the role of electric vehicles in reducing CO2 and other greenhouse gases. He said that countries need to further accelerate the production of electric vehicles, as well as create legal corridors for the development of electric vehicles, for example, policies for building charging stations and increasing access to electric vehicles for low-income people. This not only protects the future of the climate but also ensures social equality.
The air pollution in Vietnam requires timely attention and action from both the Government and the people to protect public health and the living environment. Investing in basic studies to find causes and mechanisms for pollution as a basis for policy making (for example: Research on atmospheric chemistry shows that reducing the amount of SO2 in the atmosphere will reduce the formation of PM2.5).
In addition, it is necessary to establish low emission zones in large cities such as Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, combined with automatic air quality monitoring systems.
Experts propose adding regulations on periodic emission inspection for motorbikes and cars to minimize the impact of transportation on air quality; investing in public charging infrastructure and financial support policies to encourage people to switch to using electric vehicles.
Raising public awareness by disseminating and educating people about the harmful effects of air pollution and mitigation measures, such as limiting garbage burning and using public transport... will also contribute significantly to the success of the "war against pollution".
