Climate change

A U.N. report summarizing the revised climate action plans - covering about 40 percent of countries in the 2015 Paris Agreement and 30 percent of planet-heating emissions - said they would deliver a combined emissions reduction of only 0.5 percent from 2010 levels by 2030. "That simply is not good enough," said Patricia Espinosa, urging governments - including those that have already updated their plans - to come up with larger promised cuts before COP26. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has said global emissions must fall by about 45 percent by 2030 from 2010 levels to give the world a good chance of limiting the rise in average temperatures to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial times. Under the Paris accord, nearly 200 countries pledged to keep warming to "well below" 2C, and strive for a ceiling of 1.5C. So far, the planet has heated up by about 1.2C, bringing worsening extreme weather and rising seas. Espinosa said the synthesis report made clear … [Read more...] about Climate pledges for 2030 put world far off 1.5C goal, UN warns

The Japanese trading house will pull out of the 2-gigawatt Vinh Tan 3 project, planned to be located in the southern province of Binh Thuan, because of climate change targets, Reuters reported, citing two anonymous sources. Without mentioning Vinh Tan 3 specifically, Mitsubishi said in a statement that it was committed to reducing its investment in coal power in line with international climate goals. The 2-gigawatt plant was originally scheduled to come online in 2024. OneEnergy, a joint venture of Mitsubishi and Hong Kong's CLP group, holds a 49 percent interest in the $2 billion project. State-owned utility Vietnam Electricity owns another 29 percent. Chinese companies are handling materials procurement, construction and equipment delivery. This marks Mitsubishi's first withdrawal from a coal plant project. The trading house has said it will not build any new facilities of this type after Vung Ang 2, a Nikkei report said. Mitsubishi still has a stake in the Vung Ang 2 … [Read more...] about Mitsubishi pulls out of central Vietnam coal plant

A wind farm in Binh Thuan province (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - Investors from the UK were showing significant interest in investing in renewable energy projects in Vietnam, especially wind power, expecting the Vietnamese Government to introduce long-term support policies as well as simplification of procedures for project implementation. British Ambassador to Vietnam Gareth Ward said at the UK – Vietnam Renewable Energy Dialogue on Wednesday that clean energy was becoming a global trend, adding that every 1 investment USD in clean energy would help generate from 3-8 USD. The Vietnamese Government in 2015 approved the renewable energy development strategy to 2030 with a vision to 2050 which aimed to increase the percentage of renewable power from 35 percent in 2015 to 38 percent in 2020 and 43 percent in 2050. The Government also introduced incentive policies to encourage the development of wind power , biomass energy, energy from waste and solar power. Hoang … [Read more...] about UK investors eye renewable energy in Vietnam

Hanoi reports case of COVID-19 relapse A patient has tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 again after being given the all-clear, the Hanoi Centre of Disease Control (CDC Hanoi) said on February 25. The 48-year-old patient, who resides in Dich Vong ward in Cau Giay district, has been taken to the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases for further quarantine and treatment. The case does not pose any risk of community transmission, Deputy Director of CDC Hanoi Khong Minh Tuan said. Hanoi had reported 36 COVID-19 cases between January 27 and 12pm on February 25, according to the municipal Department of Health. Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Chu Xuan Dung said relevant agencies have been asked to assess infection risks and put forward solutions to reach the “new normal”./. Citizen protection provided to Vietnamese affected by record cold in Texas The Vietnamese Consulate General in Texas and Vietnamese representative offices in the US are keeping a close watch on … [Read more...] about VIETNAM NEWS HEADLINES FEB. 26

Illustrative image (Photo: VietnamPlus) - Vietnam 's environmental protection planning is expected to be zoned in three levels. The criteria for environmental zoning will be synchronized with the provisions of the Law on Environmental Protection 2020 after being passed by the National Assembly. At a meeting in Hanoi on December 4 to assess the national environmental protection planning in 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050 built by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, representatives from relevant ministers and experts said that this plan should be oriented, and lead development activities in a way that is suitable to the environmental carrying capacity . As planned, the environmental protection planning will be zoned in three levels. Environmental pollution at alarming rate Reporting at the event, representatives from the Vietnam Environment Administration said under the pressure of industrialization and modernization process, the … [Read more...] about Environmental protection planning to be zoned in three levels