Quang Tri issues action plan to promote green growth until 2030

Quang Tri People’s Committee has recently issued Decision No. 2746/QD-UBND, outlining the Green Growth Action Plan for the province until 2030.

A safe agricultural production model at Vinh Tu Commune, Vinh Linh District. Photo: TTKN

This strategic initiative aims to implement economic restructuring by embracing innovative growth models, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and promoting the economical and efficient utilization of energy and resources.

The plan also emphasizes the integration of science, technology, digital technology applications, and digital transformation to achieve these objectives. Additionally, it focuses on the development of green and sustainable infrastructure, fostering a green lifestyle, and ensuring a fair and inclusive green transition process. The overarching principles guiding this plan include equality, inclusion, and the enhancement of resilience across the entire economy.

Under the plan, the specific objectives by the end of the decade include greening economic sectors, aiming for the digital economy to constitute 15% of the Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP). Other targets involve maintaining forest coverage at 49%, achieving an annual afforestation area exceeding 7,000 hectares, attaining sustainable forest management certification for 22,000 hectares, and ensuring that at least 30% of irrigated upland crop areas use advanced water-saving irrigation methods.

The plan also emphasizes greening lifestyles and promoting sustainable consumption, with goals such as ensuring 98% of urban solid waste is collected and processed to meet standards, and reducing the ratio of urban solid waste treated by direct burial to less than 30%.

To facilitate a green transition process based on principles of equality, inclusiveness, and improved resilience, the plan aims for a Human Development Index (HDI) surpassing 0.75%, the completion of a provincial air environment quality management plan, and ensuring 99% of the urban population has access to clean water through centralized water supply systems, while 98% of the rural population has access to hygienic water.

Quang Tri has proposed various solutions to achieve these goals, including the establishment and refinement of institutions and policies, improving the efficiency of state management linked to green growth, integrating green growth into socio-economic development plans across sectors and regions, promoting green industries, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and enhancing resource efficiency. The circular economy model is recommended, along with measures to improve resilience to climate change and natural disasters.

Efforts to raise awareness about the significance of green growth are emphasized, involving the dissemination of good practices in green consumption and alignment with nature. Information campaigns highlighting low-emission, environmentally friendly products and services are also encouraged.

To cultivate human resources and promote green employment, there is a concerted effort to foster the development of individuals for roles in environmentally sustainable occupations and generate opportunities for green jobs. This involves establishing and enhancing institutions focused on training human resources and developing green jobs, aligning with employment guidelines and policies. There is an emphasis on conducting research, surveys, data compilation, and periodic forecasts to assess the demand for and the capacity to supply human resources within green industries.

The strategic focus extends to the training and enhancement of knowledge and skills in management and administration within the realms of the green economy, green manufacturing industry, and digital economy. This effort is directed toward public administration officials. Moreover, there is a concerted initiative to improve the capacity and knowledge of teachers and education managers regarding green growth. An integral aspect of this approach is the integration of content related to green growth into educational programs and activities across all levels.

In mobilizing financial resources and fostering investment for green growth, there is a need to comprehensively review and enhance investment mechanisms and policies. This aims to establish a conducive investment environment and actively gather all necessary resources to support the realization of green growth and transformation goals. Specific mechanisms and policies should be developed and implemented to efficiently mobilize and manage resources for sustainable development and green growth. This includes attracting loans, Official Development Assistance (ODA), and technical assistance from countries and international organizations to execute green growth strategies. Improving the business investment environment is essential to attract investments in green production and circular economy projects.

The promotion of green growth should be anchored in investments in science, technology, and innovation. Rigorous technology assessments of investment projects are crucial to prevent and eliminate outdated technologies and equipment listed as restricted for transfer into the province. Prioritizing resource allocation for the research, application, and transfer of high technology, clean, and environmentally friendly technology is essential. The deployment of scientific and technological initiatives focused on green growth and innovation in a sustainable direction is paramount.

Models demonstrating the application of science, technology, innovation, and efficient new, advanced, and clean technologies should be replicated to serve green growth. The fostering of an innovation ecosystem and the development of businesses and start-ups in a green direction should be actively promoted. Digital transformation programs with the objective of establishing a digital government, digital economy, and digital society, enhancing labor productivity, and propelling motivation for green growth and sustainable development need to be deployed.

The effective implementation of the National Digital Transformation Program to 2025, with a vision to 2030, should be a focal point. Attention should be directed towards constructing infrastructure for digital transformation to support green growth, integrating green growth into comprehensive infrastructure investment programs, and incorporating digital technology and information technology into the management, administration, and operation of green growth tasks and activities.

In the realm of international integration and cooperation on green growth, there is a need for the effective execution of signed cooperation programs. The development of a joint action coordination program between the North Central provinces and the Central Coast, along with enhanced capacity building, research coordination, and technology transfer for green growth, is crucial. Seeking support from central ministries and branches to participate in activities and international cooperation programs on green growth is recommended.

To address equality in green transformation, targeted programs and projects for disadvantaged groups and those negatively impacted by employment during economic transition processes must be implemented. This involves instituting preferential policies, supporting human resource development, providing access to resources, labor and employment information channels, scientific and technological advancements, and opportunities for benefiting from green growth. Participation in training and capacity-building courses is key for groups adversely affected by employment during economic transitions and disadvantaged groups to enhance their skills and capabilities for transitioning to green industries and jobs. Various other solutions can be explored in this regard.

Hai An - Ngoc Mai