Vietnam set to establish industrial environmental index
VOV.VN - The Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) has called for the establishment of an industrial environmental index in the country, according to Le Thanh Quan, head of the MPI's department of economic zone management.
Quan assessed that the establishment of environmental standards in more than 400 industrial parks and 18 economic zones nationwide would play a significant role in resolving environmental issues, reducing waste, and achieving sustainable development. This comes following the MPI gathering data and feedback in preparation to establish Vietnamese industrial environmental standards.
He noted that it was in line with the global trend of promoting sustainable industrial development among developed countries, including Japan, the Republic of Korea, and Switzerland. The implementation of the index could also be seen as part of a national development strategy on green growth for the 2021 to 2030 period with a vision towards 2050, as well as Vietnamese commitments to reducing solid waste to zero by 2050, in line with the 2021 UN Climate Change Conference (COP26).
"The Ministry encourages industrial parks to start preparing for the transition to environmentally friendly industrial production in the near future," Quan said.
According to the MPI, the index is to be modelled based on international frameworks for building and operating environmental-friendly industrial parks and Vietnamese environmental standards.
A representative from the UN Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) said that the index should be built in order to suit Vietnamese characteristics and ensure its successful implementation and practicality.
Vuong Thi Minh Hieu, the department's deputy head, said that industrial parks and economic zones played a crucial role in attracting foreign and domestic investment, particularly as it serves to create jobs and boost economic development.
However, there are continued concerns over the environmental impact over recent years as a result of rapid industrialization, including water pollution, air pollution, and harmful waste. Hieu said that it is now time the country made the transition to greener industrial production and sustainable development.
Nguyen Tram Anh of the UNIDO said science and technology should be put at the core of the transition, with the Government providing a solid legal framework and policy incentives aimed at accelerating the process.