The survey aims to provide a scientific basis for promoting the use of cleaner modes of transportation, including metro projects in HCMC and Hanoi.

In particular, JICA has collected data for setting up a Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV) system for Vietnam’s metro sector, in collaboration with the Vietnamese Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment’s Department of Climate Change and the HCMC Department of Natural Resources and Environment.

The survey is being conducted from February this year to September 2020.

The Japanese agency held a report meeting on November 4 and 5 to collect feedback on the mid-term evaluation results for the MRV system from the involved parties.

The survey targets metro lines 1 and 2 in Hanoi and metro line No.1 in HCMC, which tapped the Japanese Government’s official development assistance loans.

According to the HCMC’s GHG inventory for 2013, which was developed under JICA’s support, the city was responsible for 16% of the country’s GHG emissions, despite having 9% of the national population. Besides this, the transport sector emitted 45% of the city’s GHG.

The development of metro systems is considered an effective solution for reducing GHG emissions, traffic congestion and air pollution, especially in Asian countries where traffic congestion affects the daily activities of the local people and worsens air quality.

Once the metro line projects are put into service, they will not only meet the surging demand for transport but also help Vietnam realize its targets for the Paris climate deal’s nationally determined contributions.

Most of the respondents living along metro line projects in the two cities noted that they would use the metro lines in the future.

When road users switch to using metro lines, the quality of air and urban life will be improved, said Murooka Naomichi, deputy head of the JICA Vietnam office.

JICA expected the survey to raise awareness among people in the cities about the role of metro systems, he added.

According to Professor Atsushi Fukuda, from the University of Nihon, who is an advisor on the survey, metro lines will play a vital role in the public transportation network and in connecting HCMC and Hanoi with neighboring major cities. SGT

HCM City seeks to reduce vehicle emissions

The HCMC Department of Transport is mulling over a scheme to control emissions from scooters and motorbikes on a trial basis.

On-road emission tests carried out in Hanoi and HCM City

Hanoi and HCM City planned to deploy roadside emissions tests for vehicles in response to the declining air quality, the Ministry of Transport has announced.