Environmental policies for supporting sustainable energy transition in Vietnam: Evaluation and policy recommendations

Vietnam has long been an active member of international efforts to address environmental challenges. In the pursuit of the goals of environmental protection, greenhouse gas emission reduction and climate change response, Vietnam is transitioning to renewable energy sources to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. In recent years, Vietnam has proactively improved its legal system on environmental protection and implemented many policies for renewable energy development. This paper presents the results of the review of environmental protection policies supporting a sustainable energy transition in Vietnam. The analysis is based on regulations of three main policy frameworks including the Law on Environmental Protection 2020 and its guiding legal documents; Renewable Energy Development Strategy to 2030 with vision to 2050; and National Power Development Plan for the period of 2021-2030 with vision toward 2050. On that basis, the findings identify some gaps in environmental protection policies for renewable energy development projects and propose policy improvements.