HCM City (VNA) – The Japan International Cooperation Agency(JICA) has advised real estate developers in Ho Chi Minh City to apply advancedtechnologies while constructing commercial buildings to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG)emissions.

According to JICA’s report, HCM City has been responsible for 16 percent of thecountry’s carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions as the amount of carbon dioxide in thesouthern largest economic hub was estimated at 38.5 million tonnes in 2013.Particularly, 46 percent of the emissions came from commercial buildings.

Power consumption at the buildings could reach 14 billion kWh by 2030, whichmeans nearly 12 million tonnes of carbon dioxide will be emitted to theenvironment.

JICA research group in Vietnam said that high speed of urbanisation and risingpopulation are exerting more pressure on the southern hub, requiring it to haveproper measures to address environmental pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

Members of the group introduced building owners in the city to Japan’senergy-saving technology projects, sustainable transport systems, urban areasthat ultimate renewable energy, and development of new technologies.

According to Assoc. Prof Dr. Ho Quoc Bang, head of the JICA research group, in2017, HCM City issued a plan to carry out the national strategy on green growthin the city by 2020. The move aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increasethe percentage of renewable energy, and promote green production.

In addition, a plan in response to climate change during the 2017-2020 period witha vision until 2030 was issued, paving the way for the implementation ofgreenhouse gas emission reduction projects in the fields of transport, energy,industry and construction.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment incollaboration with JICA launched the “Support Planning and Implementation ofNationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions” (SPI-NAMA) project in HCM City in2015. The project was designed to deal with regulations on greenhouse gasemissions, legislative actions and local authorities’ responsibility.

As the project will finish in January 2020, the research group expects toreceive support from the local authorities so that the project will be carriedout in an effective manner.

According to Ha Minh Chau, deputy head of the climate change bureau of thecity’s Department of Natural Resources and Environment, the bureau will joinhands with competent sectors in the city to facilitate work of the researchgroup.

In a bid to contribute to the national greenhouse gas emission reductionprogramme, the city will work towards mitigating greenhouse gas emissions inurban area planning, transport, industry, waste management and agriculture, headded./.