September 16, 2025, marks a significant milestone: the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, celebrated under the theme “40 Years of the Vienna Convention – From Science to Global Action.” In Vietnam, the occasion was not just a global commemoration; it was a celebration of the country’s own incredible progress.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment recently hosted a national workshop in Hanoi to rally intergovernmental and public–private cooperation for ozone layer protection and a green transition. This event, alongside a major refrigeration exhibition and a nationwide public awareness campaign, highlighted Vietnam’s commitment to a cleaner environment.
The country’s efforts have already made a tangible impact. As of August 2025, Vietnam has successfully eliminated approximately 240 million tons of CO? equivalent by phasing out controlled substances under the Montreal Protocol. This achievement was announced by Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Le Cong Thanh at the workshop.
A key partner in this journey is the Southeast Asia Energy Transition Partnership.
Speaking at the event, ETP Senior Programme Manager, John Robert Cotton introduced ETP’s results collaborating with Vietnam’s Department of Climate Change to create a National Sustainable Cooling Plan.
To reduce emissions and combat rising temperatures, Vietnam’s cooling sector strategy focuses on three key areas: improving technology, managing refrigerants, and promoting passive cooling. The country aims to cut cooling sector emissions by 97% by 2050, resulting in 20 MtCO2e direct emissions reductions and over 800 TWh in electricity savings.
?? Improving Energy Efficiency
Vietnam plans to increase the minimum average efficiency of new air conditioning units by 50% by 2030. This will be achieved by tightening energy performance standards, improving energy labeling, and encouraging advanced cooling technologies.
? Managing Refrigerants
The strategy includes phasing down harmful refrigerants. The country plans to cut HFC consumption by 80% by 2045 and completely phase out HCFCs by 2040. This will be done by promoting the use of low-GWP (Global Warming Potential) refrigerants like HCs and HFOs and strengthening life-cycle management, including recovery, recycling, and proper disposal.
?? Promoting Passive Cooling
Vietnam will promote passive cooling solutions through smart building design and urban planning. The goal is for 100% of new construction projects in major cities to achieve green building certification by 2044. This involves integrating passive design elements like shading, insulation, and natural ventilation into building codes and using green roofs, reflective materials, and green spaces to reduce the urban heat island effect.
? Aligning Roadmaps and Institutions
To ensure effective implementation, a clear roadmap and a solid institutional framework are being established. This includes building a synchronized legal framework, creating a transparent monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) system, and enhancing the capacity of technicians and other stakeholders.
These measures are projected to have significant economic and health benefits, including boosting domestic production of high-efficiency equipment, creating opportunities in climate finance, and improving public health by reducing hospitalizations related to heatwaves. For more details on ETP’s support for Vietnam’s National Sustainable Cooling Plan, click here.
