Vietnam Unveils Bold Plan to Cut Transport Emissions by 2030

Ambitious plan to significantly mitigate GHG emissions in the Transport Sector by 2030

Tackling climate change is a global priority, and for Vietnam, reducing emissions from its transport sector is critical to meeting its commitments under the Paris Agreement. The transport sector is a significant contributor to Vietnam’s greenhouse gas emissions, projected to rise sharply in the coming years. Decision 1191/QĐ-BGTVT, issued by the Ministry of Transport (MoT) on September 30, 2024, marks a pivotal move toward a sustainable future. The decision lays out a comprehensive plan aimed at reducing emissions by 5.9% below the Business-as-Usual (BAU) scenario by 2030, representing a total reduction of 45.62 million tons of CO2 equivalent over the 2021-2030 period.

The plan sets specific milestones:

• 2025: 3.4 million tons of CO2 equivalent
• 2030: 10.61 million tons of CO2 equivalent

It presents a BAU scenario, where emissions are projected to rise significantly from 33.2 million tons in 2014 to 89.1 million tons by 2030 without additional mitigation measures. The plan also encompasses 10 strategic measures under the “Unconditional Contribution” in NDC 2022, with specific goals, timelines, implementation plans, responsible agencies, and funding sources outlined for each measure.

Decision 1191/QĐ-BGTVT showcases Vietnam’s commitment to balancing rapid development with sustainability. By reducing emissions and improving energy efficiency, the Ministry of Transport aims to modernize infrastructure and transition toward a low-carbon economy.

The NDC Transport Initiative for Asia (NDC-TIA) has been instrumental in supporting the development of GHG mitigation scenarios and providing technical expertise for the implementation of the plan. The international collaboration highlights Vietnam’s proactive role in combating climate change on a global scale.

For the full English translation of the Decision No. 1191/QĐ-BGTVT, please click [here]

 NDC Transport Initiative for Asia (NDC-TIA) is part of the International Climate Initiative (IKI). The German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) supports this initiative on the basis of a decision adopted by the German Bundestag. It supports China, India, and Viet Nam as well as regional and global decarbonisation strategies to increase the ambition around low-carbon transport. 

In Viet Nam, the project’s implementing organisation is the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH and partner institutions include World Resources Institute (WRI) and International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT). Viet Nam Ministry of Transport (MOT) is the Lead executive organisation and the Department of Science, Technology and Environment (DOSTE) is the project owner.