Green Hà Nội promoted on World Environment Day

June 03, 2024 - 17:13

Losses due to air pollution in Việt Nam top US$13 billion a year, equal to four per cent of the nation’s GDP

Participants at the programme 'Joining hands for a green Hà Nội with clean air' commemorating World Environment Day in Hà Nội on Monday. — VNA/VNS Photo Nguyễn Cúc

HÀ NỘI — 'Joining hands for clean air and a green Hà Nội' was the theme of a programme launched in the capital city on Monday in response to the World Environment Day (June 5).

The event, jointly held by the municipal Department of Natural Resources and Environment (DoNRE), the UN Development Programme (UNDP), the World Health Organisation (WHO), and the municipal Women’s Union, brought together individuals, community-based organisations, government agencies and the UN to make a collective commitment to achieving clean air for Hà Nội.

DoNRE Deputy Director Nguyễn Minh Tân stressed the need to take a pragmatic stance, such as cutting down on plastic bag use, classifying and recycling waste, using renewable energy and raising public awareness of environmental protection.

According to UNDP Representative in Việt Nam Ramla Khalidi, socio-economic losses due to air pollution in Việt Nam top US$13 billion a year, equal to 4 per cent of the nation’s GDP. Recently, air quality has been a major concern with Hà Nội in the list of world's cities with worst air quality over a period of several days.

She said handling air pollution must receive the same level of attention as dealing with COVID-19, a public health emergency.

UNDP is working to improve air quality in Việt Nam in various sectors, including support for the country’s energy transition and its carbon neutral commitment by 2050, as well as development of green transportation and circular economy, she added.

This year, the World Environment Day 2024 focuses on land restoration, desertification and drought resilience, calling on countries across the globe to join hands to restore lands and build resilience, helping slow down the crisis of climate change and improve the livelihoods and food security for billions of people across the world.

In Hà Nội, the day offers an opportunity for schools, communities, enterprises, social organisations and State management agencies to push ahead activities for a green and clean Hà Nội, creating green economy for a future of sustainable development on the way to building a healthy and livable city. — VNS

Tags air pollution

Australian man passionately devoted to Việt Nam's environment sector

Michael, graduated from the University of Sydney and did his Ph.D at Southern Cross University, originally came to Việt Nam as recruited by the United Nations Development Programme and the ministry as a chief technical advisor for a project in 2007.

Economy

Agreement signed to promote environment protection

Recognising the crucial role it plays in addressing the worldwide plastic waste crisis, Việt Nam has made a firm commitment to take decisive action in reducing plastic waste.

Economy

VN needs an enabling environment to promote financial leasing

Financial leasing has high potential in Việt Nam’s dynamic economy with more than 800,000 enterprises and more than 5 million business households.

Society

FrieslandCampina Vietnam celebrates World Environment Day

FrieslandCampina Vietnam (FCV), one of the world’s largest dairy cooperatives, on Monday launched a campaign in Bình Dương Province that aims at tackling plastic pollution in celebration of World Environment Day (June 5).

Southeast Asia’s largest wastewater treatment facility to open in HCM City in mid-2025

Environment

Cà Mau Province to establish marine reserve

Environment

Sanofi Vietnam strives to expand green spaces, minimise environmental impact

Environment

Northern region takes proactive measures against heavy rain

Environment

Cát Tiên becomes the first national park in Việt Nam on the IUCN Green List

Environment

Việt Nam, RoK step up cooperation in climate change response

More on this story

Environment

Solar power transforms life on Trường Sa

Vietnam Electricity (EVN) aims to have an entire clean energy system on the Trường Sa Islands and power reserves for up to 36 hours.

Environment

Mekong Delta faces severe drought, salinity concerns

Amid worsening droughts and saline intrusion, global efforts are needed to secure the Cửu Long (Mekong) Delta’s prosperity and protect livelihoods. Bồ Xuân Hiệp provides insights into the matter.

Environment

Ninh Thuận’s rocky mountains replaced with greenery

To combat desertification, the restoration of forests has become an urgent and effective measure to reclaim the land.

Environment

Việt Nam's paradox: rivers galore, yet water security a challenge

Việt Nam is highly dependent on water resources not within its control with seven out of 13 major river basins in Việt Nam being transboundary, and more than 63 per cent of the total water resources generated outside of the border.

Environment

Provinces asked to prepare for storm Maliksi response

An official dispatch was sent to the northern province of Quang Ninh province and the central province of Ha Tinh, requesting them to monitor storm Maliksi and prepare response measures.

Environment

Project eyes CO2 reduction in Việt Nam

Ecotree Group, a sustainable forestry company focusing on carbon removal and biodiversity preservation, will team up with Germany's NGUYEN GmbH Chau Au to implement a carbon dioxide reduction project in Vietnam.

Environment

Mass coral bleaching reported in Côn Đảo

Initial observations indicated high levels of coral bleaching and mortality, primarily due to the El Niño-induced rise in bottom seawater temperatures in April and May.

Environment

Ancient town promotes ‘zero waste’ drive

The ancient town of Hội An has been trialling the first ever daily combined waste collection and treatment fee for households - a crucial step on the way to it being recognised as an eco-city, attracting sustainable tourism and creating a circular economy.