In the context of global efforts to address climate change, resource depletion, and environmental pollution, the development of a green economy and the pursuit of carbon neutrality have become inevitable trends. As one of the economic engines of the Red River Delta and the country, Hai Phong has been well aware of this requirement and has gradually realized it through specific programs and plans. More than three years of implementing the 2020 Environmental Protection Law have seen many efforts by the city to integrate green goals into development planning, modernize technical infrastructure, improve management capacity, and encourage community and business participation in the journey of emission reduction and environmental protection. However, the practical implementation also reveals many challenges that need to be addressed for Hai Phong to make a breakthrough towards carbon neutrality and sustainable development.
The city has proactively integrated environmental protection and green economy development into its master plan and sectoral plans. The Hai Phong Master Plan for 2021–2030, with a vision to 2050, clearly identifies emission-restricted areas, strictly protected zones, biodiversity corridors, nature reserves, and a list of priority environmental protection and climate change adaptation projects. The city has developed and implemented many plans and schemes related to green growth, clean energy transition, circular economy development, and fulfilling national carbon neutrality commitments. Notably, the city has issued measures to protect raw water sources, prevent saltwater intrusion, demarcate water protection corridors, enhance pollution control capacity, and improve water and air quality.
Standing Vice Chairman of the Hai Phong People's Committee Le Anh Quan emphasized that Hai Phong has identified the key pillars of green transition as the Economic Zone – Industrial Zones, seaports and logistics, technology industry, and trade – tourism.
In terms of technical infrastructure development, Hai Phong has been investing in and upgrading environmental protection works, focusing on centralized wastewater treatment systems in industrial zones, craft villages, waste-to-energy plants, and automatic, continuous environmental monitoring stations. Some industrial zones like Nam Cau Kien and Dinh Vu have shifted to eco-industrial park models, contributing to emission reduction and promoting a circular economy. In transportation, the city is gradually developing infrastructure supporting eco-friendly vehicles, encouraging the use of electric and clean-energy vehicles to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Enterprises are also renewing technology, adopting cleaner production, saving energy, and using resources more efficiently to reduce emissions and contribute to greening the economy. The city places great importance on public and business awareness, emphasizing not trading the environment for economic growth and ensuring development goes hand in hand with environmental protection.
However, to successfully achieve a green economy and carbon neutrality, Hai Phong still faces many difficulties. The environmental policy and legal system, though improved, still lacks timely guiding documents, causing implementation challenges. Frequent changes in regulations on bidding and investor selection for waste treatment infrastructure and green energy projects slow down key project progress. Financial resources for environmental infrastructure and green energy transition are limited, while the investment need is huge. Environmental inspection still lacks technical guidance, specialized equipment, and baseline data for management and violation handling. Moreover, some national policies such as financial mechanisms for the carbon market, EV standards, and technical guidance for rehabilitating unsanitary landfills have not been issued, making local implementation difficult.
To realize green economy, circular economy, and carbon neutrality goals, Hai Phong identifies the need for strong, synchronized solutions. The city will continue to improve institutions and policies, speed up issuing missing documents, and propose that central ministries issue necessary regulations. The city also recommends stabilizing the legal framework for environmental projects to accelerate essential projects. Financial resources will be prioritized, mobilizing central and international funds and encouraging private investment for environmental infrastructure, green transport, renewable energy, and advanced waste treatment. Hai Phong will modernize environmental management with better data, inspection processes, monitoring equipment, and emergency response capacity.
Alongside institutional, infrastructure, and technological solutions, the city will enhance communication and education to raise awareness and promote responsibility in protecting the environment, practicing waste sorting, resource and energy saving, and participating in environmental protection activities. The community and businesses play a decisive role in realizing green growth, emission reduction, and building Hai Phong into a green, modern, livable port city contributing to national sustainable development.