At the scientific workshop 'Solutions to promote action towards net zero emissions (Net Zero) by 2050' held recently, experts, scientists and business representatives pointed out that Net Zero is no longer an option, but an inevitable requirement to improve competitiveness and affirm Gia Lai's pioneering role in the region's green development strategy.
Recently, the Department of Science and Technology in collaboration with the Department of Industry and Trade and the International Center for Interdisciplinary Science and Education (ICISE) organized a scientific workshop on "Solutions to promote action towards net zero emissions by 2050".
The zero net emissions target is not only an environmental commitment but also a strategic opportunity for Gia Lai to break through in a new development phase. With special advantages in natural conditions, Gia Lai is holding a golden opportunity to become a pioneer in clean energy in the Central Highlands region.
Gia Lai has a favorable climate for wind and solar power, along with a rich river and lake system, suitable for developing hydropower and biomass power. Unlike many other provinces and cities that are still dependent on electricity from fossil fuels, Gia Lai has no coal or oil thermal power plants. This helps the province to step directly into the clean energy development path without having to go through a complicated transition period.
“Net Zero is no longer an option, but an inevitable requirement to improve competitiveness and affirm Gia Lai's pioneering role in the region's green development strategy,” emphasized Ms. Vo Cao Thi Mong Hoai - Deputy Director of the Department of Science and Technology of Gia Lai.
Net Zero is no longer an option, but an inevitable requirement to improve competitiveness and affirm Gia Lai's pioneering role in the region's green development strategy..
Mr. Tran Thuc Kham - Deputy Director of the Department of Industry and Trade said that Gia Lai identified 3 key areas that need to reduce emissions to achieve the Net Zero target: Electricity, industry and transportation. In particular, the local industry is mainly processing agricultural products, wood, tapioca starch, producing pellets, bricks, sugar and garment, all of which are energy-consuming and emit large amounts of emissions. Therefore, the application of renewable energy in these industries will play a key role in the transition process.
With high mountainous terrain, average wind speed of 6 - 8m/s and strong solar radiation intensity, Gia Lai has ideal natural conditions to develop diverse types of clean energy. Up to now, a series of renewable energy projects such as hydropower, wind power, solar power, biomass power and even rooftop solar power are being deployed, gradually reshaping Gia Lai's position on the national energy map.
However, Gia Lai’s journey to Net Zero still has many bottlenecks that need to be resolved soon. Among them, the lack of investment capital is a big problem, leading to delays in completing the transmission grid system. Domestic technology has not kept up with the demand for clean energy development, the workforce has not been trained in depth and social awareness of energy saving is also uneven.
Faced with the challenges, experts, managers and businesses have simultaneously proposed many breakthrough solutions to help Gia Lai accelerate its roadmap to net zero emissions, such as: Gia Lai province needs to have a more systematic strategy for inventorying and controlling emissions; businesses need to access and implement ESG (environment-social-governance) standards; apply modern technology in the energy transition process...
Based on the workshop results, the Department of Science and Technology proposed that the Gia Lai Provincial People's Committee direct key departments, branches, sectors and enterprises to conduct a comprehensive greenhouse gas inventory, and at the same time deploy energy-saving solutions, apply digital technology and smart devices in production, aiming towards the Net Zero target by 2050.
Khoi Nguyen