People collect rubbish along a canal in central Thừa Thiên Huế Province. — Photo baotainguyenmoitruong.vn

HÀ NỘI — A webinar to share experience and ideas on the transition to a green economy by European countries through the European Green Agreement (EGA) gathered participants from Hà Nội, central Đà Nẵng City and central Thừa Thiên – Huế Province.

The event was jointly organised by the French Development Agency (AFD) in Việt Nam, Live and Learn for Environment and Community (Live & Learn), and the European Union (EU) Mission to Việt Nam on Wednesday.

The EGD is a set of proposals adopted by the European Commission (EC) to make the EU's climate, energy, transport and taxation policies fit for reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55 per cent by 2030 compared to 1990 levels, and help the EU become a climate-neutral continent by 2050.

According to EU Ambassador to Viet Nam Giorgio Aliberti, Việt Nam has made a strong commitment and determination to respond to climate change and promote the transition to a green and circular economy. He affirmed the EU will continue to accompany Việt Nam to fulfil its commitment to reducing net emissions to zero by 2050 and taking strong actions against climate change.

It will also work closely with the Southeast Asian nation to implement short-term and long-term strategies and build specific plans in line with the roadmap, he added.

Việt Nam needs to promote a circular and green economy in the future, have behaviour in accordance with the environment, and change awareness of consumption, the official stressed.

Cung Trọng Cường, Director of Thừa Thiên- Huế Institute for Development Studies (HueIDS), briefed participants on the implementation of climate change resilient projects in Thừa Thiên – Huế, saying that many programmes, movements and campaigns were implemented with high efficiency, such as the "Green Sunday", "Parks Without Trash", "Wards Without Trash" and "Clean Streets and Pavements" programmes, contributing to protecting the environment and preserving urban landscapes while raising awareness and responsibilities of local citizens for environmental protection. 

Cường said the locality will coordinate with the UN Development Programme (UNDP) in Việt Nam to launch a programme to speed up the circular economy and reduce plastic waste in May. The province also plans to implement a project to use bicycles as a public means of transport and increase forest coverage.

During the webinar, participants focused their discussions on issues related to the impact of the EGA on economic relations between the EU and Việt Nam and ASEAN; programmes of European associations and businesses to transfer green technology and support green businesses in Việt Nam.

They also share experience of European countries in training new human resources to meet Việt Nam's net zero emissions target by 2050. — VNS