2024 marks the 30th anniversary of Viet Nam's participation in the Vienna Convention and the Montreal Protocol. According to statistics and assessments by the Ozone Secretariat, Viet Nam has eliminated the consumption of 220 million tons of carbon by eliminating controlled substances since 1994. Viet Nam is internationally recognized as an active and highly responsible member, making efforts to implement tasks and solutions and achieving many essential results in managing and eliminating controlled substances.
Some of Viet Nam's outstanding achievements in the management and elimination of controlled substances according to the roadmap of international commitments include Completing the complete elimination of CFCs, Halons, and CTCs; Methyl bromide is managed and controlled by purpose: imported only for disinfection and quarantine of goods; HCFCs have been managed and phased out since 2013, with a roadmap to phase them out by January 1, 2040.
Viet Nam has also joined the Cooling Efficiency Enhancement Alliance initiated by the United Nations Environment Program, the Fluorocarbon Life Cycle Management Initiative undertaken by Japan, and the Global Cooling Commitment to join the international community. The goal is to reduce global emissions from cooling activities in all sectors by at least 68% by 2050 compared to 2022.
In 2024, the Prime Minister issued a National Plan to manage and eliminate ozone-depleting substances and control greenhouse gases. The plan comprehensively integrates new management requirements to implement international commitments synchronously, initiatives to respond to climate change, protection of the ozone layer, and the provision of sustainable cooling, which Viet Nam has participated in.
Specific goals for implementing the Plan by 2045 include: Managing and eliminating controlled substances; managing products and equipment using HCFCs and HFCs according to their global warming potential; managing the life cycle of controlled substances and providing sustainable cooling.
Following the roadmap, Viet Nam has implemented HCFC phase-out management for HFCs starting in 2024. Facilities manufacturing equipment and products containing or using controlled substances must develop a suitable roadmap to replace and eliminate controlled substances. Facilities using equipment and products containing or using controlled substances must comply with regulations on collection, transportation, recycling, reuse, and disposal according to the guidance of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. Production, business, and service facilities using controlled substances that convert ozone layer protection technology are entitled to incentives and support according to regulations.