In a significant stride towards its ambitious 2050 net-zero emissions target, Viet Nam has launched a nationwide scientific and technological initiative. Unveiled in December 2024 by the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST), Program KC.16/24-30 drives the country’s 2050 net-zero pledge through competitive funding for research and pilot projects. It targets breakthroughs in carbon capture, renewable energy scaling, and methane-reducing agriculture, with proposals evaluated for 2025 deployment.

Laying the Groundwork for a Green Economy

In response to Viet Nam’s commitment at COP26 to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050, the MOST launched the national-level programme KC.16/24-30 in late 2024. Officially titled “Scientific and Technological Research Serving the Goal of Net Zero Emissions by 2030 in Viet Nam”, this initiative serves as a strategic instrument to promote technological innovation and sustainable development in alignment with international climate agreements.

The programme is primarily financed by domestic public funds, with all research activities, workshops, and project proposals being undertaken by domestic institutions, research centres, and enterprises. KC.16/24-30 aims to facilitate the country’s transition to a low-carbon economy through applied scientific research, the development and transfer of clean technologies, and the formulation of enabling policies and governance frameworks. Running until 2030, it is envisioned as a core platform for mobilising interdisciplinary collaboration among researchers, businesses, and policymakers to achieve Viet Nam’s climate goals in a scientific, efficient, and context-sensitive manner.

Objectives and Scope of the KC.16/24-30 programme.

KC.16/24-30 is structured around three key pillars, each strategically designed to support Viet Nam’s pathway toward achieving its net-zero emissions commitment.

1. Strengthening the policy and institutional framework, including the development of technical standards to ensure a coherent regulatory environment for emissions reduction and green technology development.
2. Carrying out research and application of circular and green economic models, along with the development of carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS) technologies— recognised as critical solutions in both medium and long-term climate strategies.
3. Advancing, scaling and localising renewable energy technologies such as solar and wind power, alongside cutting-edge energy storage systems.

The integration of these three pillars not only supports emissions reduction but also stimulates innovation, enhances national competitiveness, and fosters green economic growth.

Implementation Framework and Key Activities

Following its official approval in October 2024, the MOST swiftly launched the KC.16/24-30 program at a national workshop in December 2024. To enhance outreach, regional workshops were also conducted in Can Tho and Vung Tau, drawing attention from local research institutions, businesses, and government representatives.

A national call for project proposals was announced, with the submission deadline set for January 10, 2025. As of mid-2025, the program is in its preparatory phase, reviewing submitted project proposals. Although several high-profile workshops have taken place and numerous proposals have been collected, no official projects have yet been approved or publicly launched.

Despite being in its initial phase, the programme has laid the groundwork for interdisciplinary collaboration and garnered attention from various scientific organisations nationwide. The timely dissemination of program information, transparent evaluation process, and clear strategic direction provided by MOST helped the program launch. It addresses notable challenges for climate change mitigation in Viet Nam. A critical limitation lies in Viet Nam’s technological capacity in key areas.

For instance, in the field of CCUS, there are currently no large-scale pilot projects in place, and the country lacks both the technical infrastructure and geologic mapping capabilities necessary for long-term carbon storage.

The national GHG inventory system is still under development, with limited automation tools and a shortage of qualified personnel at the local level. As a result, inventory efforts remain heavily reliant on manual estimations, undermining accuracy and timeliness. Another significant challenge is the fragmentation and lack of integration in emissions data systems. Currently, emissions-related data are managed by various ministries using separate systems, resulting in duplication and inconsistencies in data collection methodologies and measurement units. At the local level, most provinces lack standardised emissions reporting platforms or any integrated linkages to the central government, complicating efforts to consolidate national inventories. This lack of a unified and cross-sectoral data system not only weakens the integrity of emission reporting but also hampers the implementation of MRV (Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification) systems—an essential foundation for future carbon pricing mechanisms and emissions trading schemes.

A Scientific Cornerstone for Viet Nam’s Green Future

KC.16/24-30 represents a pioneering national initiative that bridges science and technology with Viet Nam’s climate and sustainable development objectives. Its comprehensive, interdisciplinary approach enables the program to address complex technological challenges while supporting evidence-based policymaking and legal framework development for climate action.

To ensure the program’s success, continued and stable public funding is essential, alongside strong inter-agency coordination and proactive engagement from the private sector. Furthermore, international collaboration should be promoted to facilitate the adoption of advanced technologies and to the integration of global best practices tailored to Viet Nam’s context. By maintaining strategic alignment and effective implementation, KC.16/24-30 holds the potential to become a scientific and technological cornerstone in Viet Nam’s journey toward net-zero emissions.

Reference

1. https://www.most.gov.vn/en/news/973/viet-nam-announces-national-sci-tech-programme-toward-netzero-goals.aspx
2. https://special.nhandan.vn/lotrinhcop26_en/index.html
3. https://en.vietnamplus.vn/vietnam-announces-national-sci-tech-programme-toward-netzero-goals-post307269.vnp
4. https://en.mae.gov.vn/Pages/chi-tiet-tin-Eng.aspx?ItemID=8702
5. https://en.nhandan.vn/shortening-the-road-to-net-zero-post144096.html
6. https://vietnamlawmagazine.vn/science-and-technology-key-to-achieve-net-zero-emission-goal-expert-70338.html