Vietnam commits to cut emissions, promote sustainable energy in climate battle

Vietnam, as a country severely impacted by climate change, would comprehensively deal with climate change by committing to reduce 9 percent of its greenhouse gas emission using domestic resources, or 27 percent with international assistance, Phuc said at the two-day Leaders Summit on Climate starting Thursday, hosted by U.S. President Joe Biden, local media reported.

Vietnam also committed to continue reducing electricity usage through burning coal and increasing usage of sustainable energy sources so these would take up 30 percent of the nation's total primary energy sources by 2045, as well as internalizing international treaties on reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It is also deploying a program to plant a billion trees nationwide until 2025, Phuc added.

A shift to a green economy and cutting emissions would help countries create new jobs, maintain energy security and help their economies become more competitive and sustainable, Phuc said, however noting developing countries still encounter challenges to do so due to a lack of resources and technologies.

Phuc stressed that such a shift must be fair, comprehensive and benefit entire populations, "leaving no one behind."

He called for developed nations to continue spearheading the fight against climate change by reducing emissions and increasing financial and technological support for green energy, building infrastructure and creating jobs for developing countries, including Vietnam.

The online climate summit, attended by 41 world leaders, ended Friday. It has seen several major economies like the U.S., Canada and Japan upping their emission reduction goals by 2030.