26/06/2026
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At the COP26 Summit, Vietnam established a historical milestone by committing to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. For a rapidly developing economy, this commitment is driving an inevitable transition, reshaping the economic structure, energy models, and standards within the supply chain.
The Macro Picture: Vietnam faces the Net Zero challenge
Vietnam's roadmap towards Net Zero has been institutionalized through Decision No. 896/QD-TTg by the Prime Minister. Accordingly, energy, agriculture, and industrial processes are key sectors that must drastically reduce emissions.
This green transition requires massive investment and governance capacity. According to the World Bank's Country Climate and Development Report (CCDR), Vietnam is estimated to need an additional investment of approximately 368 billion USD from now until 2040 to simultaneously build climate resilience and implement the decarbonization roadmap. At the same time, the formation of the domestic carbon credit market (expected to officially operate in 2028) is creating pressure to quantify emissions on all organizations. In this context, the capacity to measure and manage greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is becoming a mandatory standard, shaping the sustainable development capacity of agencies and businesses.
Integrating climate goals into the internal operations and governance system at UEH
Aligning with the national goals, the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) approaches the Net Zero roadmap not through superficial movements, but by standardizing its environmental management system from the roots.
Taking the Green University Regulation as an operational guideline, the university is systematizing sustainable practices through efforts to compile and perfect the Greenhouse Gas Emission Handbook. To ensure transparency and a solid data foundation, UEH is actively implementing internal GHG inventories. This process is being gradually standardized to approach international reporting frameworks, clearly classifying emission sources to establish precise intervention scenarios:
- Managing emissions from indirect energy: The control of emissions from purchased electricity is carried out through a centralized data measurement system. UEH is digitizing its energy management process using Dashboards and a strict OKR/KPI indicator system. Electricity and water consumption data at the campuses are monitored periodically. Green architecture infrastructure (Low-E glass, open spaces with natural ventilation) is applied to optimize cooling and lighting efficiency – the two factors that account for the largest proportion of Scope 2 emissions. In particular, maintaining the production of 470,000 kWh of rooftop solar power serves as an important "buffer," helping the university directly cut down about 1,270 tons of CO2 from relying on the national grid;
- Controlling emissions from the value chain and operations: This is the most difficult emission group to measure but accounts for a large proportion in the university space. UEH focuses on solving the internal transportation issue. The "Green Transportation" strategy does not stop at encouraging the transition to electric vehicles through empirical data analysis projects like "GREEN PULSE," but also lies in the effort to optimize the UEH Shuttle Bus network. Digitizing learners' travel behavior helps the university collect raw data to serve the long-term carbon reduction challenge.
Measuring behavior, shaping future governance mindset
Net Zero cannot be achieved without synchronization from the system governance level down to individual behavior. According to internal surveys, 93% of UEH students express their readiness to participate in the university's sustainable orientation. This commitment is being quantified through daily consumption decisions: prioritizing the use of shuttle buses, sorting waste at the source, and practicing energy-saving discipline in lecture halls.
Net Zero is a long-term roadmap that requires quantitative thinking, empirical data, and risk management capabilities. Complying with the Green University Regulation and autonomously conducting greenhouse gas inventories are affirming UEH's position in creating an advanced academic environment, ready to meet strict climate governance standards.
News and photos: UEH Green Campus Project
