According to scientific research data, the emissions of this industry account for 39% of the total global emissions, of which construction materials production accounts for nearly 30%. Therefore, reducing emissions in construction materials production will contribute significantly to the goal of net zero emissions by 2050.
Since Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh announced Vietnam’s commitment to reduce net zero emissions by 2050 at the 26th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP26), these efforts have entered their fourth year.
Although many ministries and sectors, including the construction sector, have immediately embarked on research and implementation, this is a new field and still faces many difficulties and challenges.
According to the analysis of Le Viet Ha, Chairman of Net Zero Vietnam Company, green transformation towards Net Zero is a new concept, so businesses are struggling to find the right direction. On the other hand, the policy mechanism is in the process of being perfected, lacking standards and criteria for businesses to apply.
To switch to green production, investors need large capital sources. One of the solutions to help businesses overcome these challenges is to recycle industrial waste in the coal-fired power production process such as fly ash and coal slag.
Studies show that this waste has a similar composition to Portland cement, so from being used only for landfill to becoming an important resource of the circular economy, thoroughly recycling ash and slag not only helps businesses diversify products such as autoclaved concrete, dry mortar, mixed adhesives, panels, and wall putty, but also improves competitiveness with similar products in the international market.
Recycling ash and slag helps save resources, reduce emissions and bring economic benefits. However, this is a new field, with few businesses implementing it, so these units must proactively overcome difficulties with many solutions.
Kieu Van Mat, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Song Da Cao Cuong Joint Stock Company, shared: “We must retrain human resources to suit green production, gradually converting from old to modern technology according to a suitable roadmap. However, we also need specific policies to encourage development.” In order to sustainably develop the construction materials industry, towards the goal of reducing net emissions to zero, the Government has proactively proposed many solutions.
In order to sustainably develop the construction materials industry, aiming at the goal of reducing net emissions to zero, the Government has proactively proposed many solutions.
Based on the reality of enterprises and the general context of the country, building a “green institution” will encourage innovation efforts. This has been specified in Decision No.1266/QD-TTg (dated August 18, 2020) on approving the Strategy for development of construction materials in Vietnam for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision to 2050. Furthermore, the Ministry of Construction also issued the “Action Plan to implement the Paris Agreement on climate change for the 2020-2030 period.”
These policies promote the development of products that meet international standards, save energy in the production process, and aim to eliminate outdated technology that consumes resources and pollutes the environment.
To overcome difficulties and pave the way for businesses in the innovation of construction materials, towards a green future, the Government is perfecting the legal framework for green construction materials, resolving problems such as preferential mechanisms on import taxes on equipment, policies to encourage use, standards, regulations, economic norms, etc.
The Government is researching and will issue synchronous and detailed preferential policies for businesses producing green construction materials. At the same time, the use of new, environmentally friendly materials in construction works will gradually become a mandatory requirement with specific criteria.
According to the plan, the construction industry aims to complete a set of green product standards in the 2022-2030 period, thereby realising the goal of reducing 74.3 million tons of CO2, while taking advantage of opportunities to sell carbon credits.
Vu Ngoc Anh, Director of the Department of Science, Technology and Environment under the Ministry of Construction, shared: “The Ministry of Construction has organised many workshops to provide information on contents related to Net Zero for businesses, at the same time, coordinated with businesses to inventory greenhouse gases to come up with appropriate solutions to reduce emissions. We also developed preferential policies for projects using green building materials, as well as applied sanctions to violations.”
Net Zero is a long journey, requiring determination and strong action from the Government, businesses, and people.
To realise the goal of reducing 74.3 million tonnes of CO2 by 2030 according to the appendix attached to the Government’s Decree No.06/2022/ND-CP (dated January 7, 2022), which regulates the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and protection of the ozone layer, the construction industry must carry out a green revolution in the field of building materials.
This is an inevitable trend in the context of fierce competition in the construction industry as well as industrial production in general.
