Global “green pressure” on businesses

In today’s era of global competition, advantages no longer come solely from production technology or pricing, but also from the ability to meet increasingly stringent green standards. From free trade agreements to investor requirements, Vietnamese enterprises are under mounting pressure to transform their development model. Among these shifts, adopting low-carbon technologies is seen as a key that unlocks market access and secures long-term competitiveness.

Under the GEF/ADB Project “Mainstreaming Climate Resilience and Environmental Protection for Secondary Green Cities Development” of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, the bidding package “Review, develop greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory methodology and guidance for Measurement – Reporting – Verification (MRV) monitoring; assess low-carbon technology needs and emission reduction potential to propose low-carbon technology portfolio and pilot GHG inventory assessment and MRV inHue, Ha Giang and Vinh Yen” (TA9417-ISP QCBS-02) has assessed and prioritized a list of greenhouse-gas-reduction technologies for the three localities. The priority sectors include energy, transport, agriculture, industry, land use, land use change and forestry (LULUCF) and waste management.

Dual benefits: Emission reduction and efficiency gains

Investing in low-carbon technologies generates two simultaneous benefits. On one hand, businesses reduce operational costs through energy optimization, resource recycling, and improved production efficiency. On the other hand, brand reputation is strengthened, creating advantages in accessing foreign markets and international investors who increasingly prioritize “green” standards.

In Hue city - where the 2030 target is to reduce emissions by 8% compared to a business-as-usual scenario (under Plan No. 386/KH-UBND dated 19 September 2025) - many enterprises have installed rooftop solar systems, adopted smart energy-management technologies, and shifted to electric vehicles for transportation. These examples show that green investment is no longer optional; it has become a strategic requirement tied to business survival.

Challenges and opportunities

High upfront investment costs remain a major concern for many enterprises. However, experts emphasize that this should be viewed as a strategic, future-proof investment. As green finance policies and mechanisms and export standards become clearer, early movers will gain a strong competitive advantage.

Nguyen Van Hung, Director of Seny Vietnam Co., Ltd., a construction enteprise in Vinh Yen (now part of Phu Tho), noted:

“If we do not make the transition soon, we will face difficulties in securing international contracts. European partners enforce strict carbon-footprint standards. Therefore, green investment is essential to maintain competitiveness.”

Moreover, businesses can access preferential green finance from climate funds, international organizations, or domestic banks once they demonstrate a solid commitment to sustainable development - creating tangible opportunities to ease the initial financial burden.

An inevitable path forward

Experiences from enteprises show that adopting low-carbon technologies not only reduces emissions but also enhances competitiveness. Implementing solutions such as renewable energy, green mobility, energy efficiency and waste-to-energy technologies will increasingly serve as a “passport” for Vietnamese enterprises in the global integration era.

As Vietnam accelerates its green-growth strategy and moves toward net-zero emissions by 2050, investment in low-carbon technologies must be viewed as an integral part of business development strategies. This is both a social responsibility and a gateway to market expansion, investment attraction, and long-term prosperity./.VNA