Developing green transport, expanding walking streets to reduce pollution
To reduce air pollution from traffic sources, at the 20th Session, the Hanoi People's Council passed a Resolution on Regulations on implementing low emission zones in Hanoi, effective from January 1, 2025. In the immediate future, the low emission zones will be piloted in Ba Dinh and Hoan Kiem districts.
At the seminar "Solutions to implement low emission zones in Hanoi" organized by Tien Phong newspaper on the morning of January 21, Ms. Luu Thi Thanh Chi - Deputy Head of the Department of Environmental Management, Hanoi Department of Natural Resources and Environment said that the low emission zone proposed in the Capital Law will be implemented in 2025. The low emission zone focuses on means of transport, specifically when circulating in the low emission zone, green means of transport will be encouraged, prohibiting vehicles that do not meet the criteria on emission levels, causing air pollution.
Ba Dinh and Hoan Kiem districts are piloting low-emission zones in 2025. These include specific mechanisms on taxes and fees, zoning of areas as low-emission zones, traffic infrastructure, public and private transport connections, surveillance camera systems and surveillance forces, etc.; and labeling of vehicles using green and clean energy.
Mr. Nguyen Cuong Quyet - Deputy Head of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Ba Dinh District said that piloting a low emission zone is a very difficult problem, not simple at all. Just the propaganda to stop using honeycomb coal stoves will take 5 years.
Regarding the implementation of Resolution 47 of 2024 of the Hanoi People's Council, Ba Dinh district is ready, Ba Dinh has selected the walking streets of Dao Ngoc Ngu Xa, Ngoc Khanh Lake, Pham Huy Thong for piloting. But there must be regional connections, such as Dao Ngoc Ngu Xa is related to the entire Yen Phu street axis; Pham Huy Thong street is related to the entire Nguyen Chi Thanh axis... so it must be studied specifically when piloting.
Ms. Trinh Thi Minh Phuong - Deputy Head of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Hoan Kiem District People's Committee said that in the process of implementing the low emission zone, Hoan Kiem District encountered some difficulties, most of which were related to people's awareness. Because, while many people use electric vehicles to contribute to improving air quality, there are still many cases of polluting actions.
In addition, because the transport infrastructure in Hanoi is not yet uniformly connected, it makes it difficult to implement the low emission zone.
Hoan Kiem District is proposing the possibility of expanding the pedestrian street to reduce personal vehicles. Expanding the tram system running throughout the district to contribute to improving the air quality in the inner city, in accordance with the spirit of Resolution 47 of the Hanoi People's Council.
Low emission zones are not a "magic wand"
Mr. Hoang Duong Tung - Chairman of the Vietnam Clean Air Network said that low emission zones are not a "magic wand", but just one of the measures to improve air pollution in Hanoi. However, the effectiveness of low emission zones has been proven in many countries, for example in Europe there are more than 300 low emission zones.
Through literature research and experience in cities around the world, the results of implementing low emission zones depend a lot on the implementation. However, it must be emphasized that designing low emission zones is very difficult, requiring correct awareness, correct design and correct action. There is no common model for implementing low emission zones, although they all have the common goal of reducing pollution.
Drawing on lessons learned from cities around the world, to ensure successful implementation of low emission zones, the following conditions must be met: clear definition of goals; a vision for transport; extensive communication about low emission zones; an effective and equitable implementation strategy; a monitoring program; a program to support vulnerable groups; and measures to supplement green public transport.
Besides challenges, there are also many opportunities in the fight against air pollution. This is because the Party, Government and Hanoi leaders have joined hands to pass the Capital Law 2024. This is an opportunity to pilot outstanding and specific mechanisms and policies for Hanoi.
