Accelerating industrial decarbonization: Viet Nam engages UNIDO on cement emission reductions

By the sideline of COP30, Viet Nam’s climate delegation and UNIDO leadership examined pathways to cut emissions in cement production and align industrial transition with global net-zero goals.

Within the framework of the COP30 on climate change in Belém, Brazil, Mr. Le Ngoc Tuan, Deputy Director General of the Department of Climate Change under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, and the Head of the Vietnamese Delegation at COP30, held a working session with Ms. Rana Ghoneim, Director of the Energy and Climate Action Division at UNIDO.

Ms. Rana Ghoneim shared that UNIDO is implementing the 8th Replenishment of the Global Environment Facility (GEF-8), which includes the Global Decarbonization Investment Accelerator (GDIA) program for hard-to-abate sectors. This program helps countries prepare for industrial transition according to a net-zero emission roadmap.

The GDIA supports developing and emerging economies in accelerating decarbonization in industrial sectors where reducing greenhouse gas emissions is difficult, starting with cement. Specific solutions include strengthening policy frameworks, building standard methodologies for emission reduction, and supplementing investment projects using public-private finance. Through these measures, the program aims to bridge the gap between international climate finance mechanisms and national industrial transition needs, ensuring alignment with the 1.5°C goal of the Paris Agreement on climate change.

In addition, UNIDO is implementing the Green Climate Fund (GCF) Readiness Programme for industrial decarbonization to build proposals supporting developing countries in preparing for large-scale industrial decarbonization. This is not merely a funding mechanism but a catalyst for adjusting national industrial strategies, contributing to the global Net Zero goal. UNIDO possesses extensive experience cooperating with countries globally on reducing industrial greenhouse gas emissions, particularly in cement production.

Sharing at the meeting, Deputy Director General of the Department of Climate Change Le Ngoc Tuan emphasized that reducing emissions in cement production is identified as a critical measure for cutting greenhouse gases. He noted that as early as 2025, Vietnam is piloting the allocation of emission quotas for cement, steel, and thermal power production facilities.

Mr. Le Ngoc Tuan highly valued UNIDO's cooperation in supporting Viet Nam to implement its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) in recent times. He expressed a desire for the two sides to continue coordinating to build specific projects to realize the NDC goals in the new phase.

The Green Climate Fund (GCF) was established in 2010 at COP16 to mobilize funding for low-emission development and climate change response investments. The GCF aims to support developing countries in incorporating stronger climate commitments into their NDCs and realizing these commitments. Regarding greenhouse gas emission reduction, the GCF prioritizes investment in renewable energy, clean energy, buildings, industry, sustainable transport, forest management, and reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD+). Regarding climate change adaptation, the GCF prioritizes projects on water resource management, sustainable agriculture, climate-resilient infrastructure, ecosystem conservation, and support for vulnerable communities. To date, the GCF has funded 18 billion USD for 314 projects in 133 developing countries. In Vietnam specifically, the GCF has supported five readiness capacity-building projects with total funding of 4.7 million USD and funded six other projects with total capital of 210.6 million USD.

Chu Thanh Huong