Building Blocks for Domestic Carbon Markets through Enhancing Greenhouse – gas Inventory and Reporting Capacity
Post date: Tuesday, May 28, 2024 | 17:37 - View count: 332
May 23-24, 2024 – The Embassy of Australia, in partnership with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, organized a workshop entitled “Building Blocks for Domestic Carbon Markets through Enhancing Greenhouse-gas Inventory and Reporting Capacity”.
The workshop was attended by representatives from the Australian Embassy in Vietnam, the Department of Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Development – Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Climate Change Department – Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the Agriculture Department – Government Office, the Directorate for Standards, Metrology and Quality (STAMEQ) – Ministry of Science and Technology, the Legal Department – Ministry of Finance, the Institute of Agricultural Environment – Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, along with representatives from various provincial departments across the country.
In the introductory speech, Ms. Cecilia Brennan, Economic Counsellor at the Australian Embassy in Vietnam, conveyed, “Australia acknowledges the significance of robust greenhouse gas reporting and inventory activities as a cornerstone in the collaborative relationship between Vietnam and Australia. Australia is committed to assisting Vietnam’s energy transition through financial support from both the public and private sectors, fostering technical cooperation and engendering partnerships between agencies and commercial ventures.”
Following the issuance of Decree No. 06/2022/ND-CP by the government, which focuses on the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the protection of the ozone layer, relevant ministries and sectors have formulated and disseminated corresponding documents and policies. Nevertheless, the enactment of these regulations presents multiple challenges: they do not entirely conform to the capabilities of local institutions and authorities; the timeline for greenhouse gas inventory is not suitable; enterprises face obstacles in complying with greenhouse gas inventory regulations, and in devising and implementing plans for emission reduction.
Parallel to Australia’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, Vietnam has also pledged to the same. In pursuit of this ambition, Australia has offered short-term courses designed to bolster greenhouse gas reporting and inventory capacities, leading to institutional connections between Vietnam and Australia in this sphere, and aiding in the inception and functioning of a carbon market.
During a panel discussion addressing the challenges in establishing Vietnam’s carbon market, Dr. Ha Minh Hiep, Acting Director General of STAMEQ, highlighted the necessity for precision, transparency, and adherence to international standards in greenhouse gas inventory reports. He stressed that inventory methodologies must conform to international benchmarks, independent verification and validation organizations must abide by these benchmarks, and there is a need for uniform competencies amongst inventory specialists and verifiers.
Dr. Hiep announced that in 2024, STAMEQ plans to develop and review twenty standards related to climate change adaptation, greenhouse gas emissions, carbon neutrality, and green credit mechanisms. These standards will aim to fortify the credibility and international compliance of Vietnamese enterprises, dispel ambiguity, amplify market confidence, and draw investment, yielding benefits to the environment.
The workshop also included deliberations on Business decarbonization strategies and Challenges for businesses in reporting GHG emissions and engaging in decarbonization strategies.
In the evening, STAMEQ convened a reception and meeting with Associate Professor Lien Duong from Curtin University, Australia, and Professor Tuan Ngo, Network Convenor of Decarbonizing Building Industry and Program Leader of the Building 4.0 Cooperative Research Centre (CRC), University of Melbourne, Australia. This meeting fostered a platform for mutual exchange of insights on greenhouse gas inventory and management.
Conformity Assessment Policy Department, STAMEQ
