Vietnam Reduces 240 Million Tons of CO2e Emissions

Vietnam has reduced approximately 240 million tons of CO2e over more than three decades by eliminating and controlling certain compounds used in the production of air conditioners and refrigerators.

This information was shared by Mr. Le Cong Thanh, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, at the workshop "Ozone Layer Protection Activities Towards Green Transition" on September 15. The figures cited by Mr. Thanh were from statistics provided by the International Ozone Secretariat, spanning from 1994 to August 2025.

Vietnam joined the Montreal Protocol in 1994. This is an international treaty aimed at protecting the ozone layer by phasing out the production and consumption of ozone-depleting substances (ODS). The ozone layer is a region of Earth's stratosphere that acts as a shield, absorbing most of the sun's harmful ultraviolet radiation, thereby protecting humans and ecosystems.

Man-made chemicals containing chlorine or bromine that can destroy the atmospheric ozone layer include CFCs, HCFCs, HFCs (refrigerants), and halons (compounds used in fire extinguishers).

Vietnam achieved the reduction of 240 million tons of CO2e through a complete ban on CFC refrigerants and a gradual reduction of import quotas for other substances (HCFCs and HFCs). According to this year's roadmap, the import quota for HCFCs has been reduced by 67.5% compared to the 2013 base year, down to 1,300 tons, with the goal of total elimination by 2040. HFCs maintain a quota of 13.9 million tons of CO2e and will be reduced to 2.7 million tons by 2045.

With this roadmap, Vietnam is expected to directly reduce nearly 12 million tons of  CO2e annually from 2045, equivalent to the emissions of three coal-fired power plants. According to the Energy and Environment Consultancy Joint Stock Company (VNEEC), controlling refrigerants under the amended Montreal Protocol will help Vietnam reduce over 20 million tons of  CO2e starting in 2050, contributing to the Net Zero emission target.

Beyond climate benefits, the use of eco-friendly substances also opens a new field: Sustainable Cooling. Vietnam joined the Global Cooling Pledge in 2023 and is currently developing a national plan for this sector.

In addition to transitioning to eco-friendly refrigerants, the national plan aims for energy efficiency and the integration of passive cooling solutions. This means sustainable cooling will rely on nature (restoring forests, lakes, and wetlands) or urban design (eco-friendly materials) rather than relying solely on air conditioning. According to the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), this sector could open up an economic opportunity worth 290 billion USD by 2030.

To exploit financial opportunities for sustainable cooling solutions, Mr. Juhern Kim, Country Representative of GGGI in Vietnam, suggested that Vietnam could accelerate implementation by focusing on practical priorities. He recommended that organizations aggregate small, fragmented projects into a large-scale investment portfolio attractive to investors.

Furthermore, authorities need to clarify the concept of "sustainable cooling" in policies with specific regulations and criteria—similar to the recently issued National Green Taxonomy—to form a unified reference framework in the market.

The Vienna Convention (1985) and the Montreal Protocol (1987) are considered among the greatest successes of global environmental cooperation. Scientific evidence shows that the ozone layer is gradually recovering and could return to its normal state by the middle of this century.

Additionally, the Montreal Protocol contributes significantly to slowing global warming, as many ozone-depleting substances are also potent greenhouse gases. To date, 99% of ozone-depleting substances have been phased out globally.

Source: vnexpress.net