The door to Net Zero is open, but no business can walk through it if left outside the mandatory greenhouse gas inventory roadmap starting in 2025.

No longer optional

By March 31, 2025, over 2,100 major production facilities across Vietnam must complete greenhouse gas inventories as required by government regulation. The list is finalized, the deadline is set, and the question of “whether to comply” is now obsolete in modern business thinking.

The greater challenge lies in the process itself. Emission inventorying is not a simple administrative task - it involves defining emission boundaries, collecting and standardizing data on materials, energy, and production processes, applying international emission factors, and organizing third-party evaluations. Failure to comply or improper execution risks legal consequences, loss of standing in global supply chains, or exclusion from green credit packages, which increasingly demand transparent emission disclosures.

In today’s world, “green” is no longer a value-add - it’s the default standard. Vietnamese businesses can no longer afford to wait.

To help enterprises overcome early hurdles, the “For a Green National Environment” program has launched the nationwide initiative “Journey to Net Zero.”

This is more than a communications campaign. The initiative aims to create a long-term, in-depth support ecosystem involving central ministries, local governments, research institutes, financial organizations, and independent experts.

The National Conference, held both online and offline, will enable participation from major economic hubs as well as small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in remote areas.

The conference, scheduled for Saturday, June 28, brings together national and local agencies along with industry stakeholders. Photo: Organizers

Critically, regulatory bodies and technical experts will be on hand to guide businesses step by step through the greenhouse gas inventory process in accordance with Circular 17/2022/TT-BTNMT and ISO 14068-1.

From identifying emission sources, analyzing data, calculating results to verifying report quality, every stage will be clarified to help enterprises take control - avoiding last-minute confusion.

Dr. Hoang Hiep, Director of the Institute for Green Growth Studies and head of the program, said: “We don’t want this program to stop at raising awareness. We aim to dive deep into technical support and deliver practical action for the community. This is a shared transformation, mobilizing social resources to drive a circular economy - no one should walk this path alone.”

Take one step now, lead the market tomorrow

Early participation not only ensures compliance but also unlocks strategic value. Emission inventories serve as a mirror of operational efficiency, helping businesses pinpoint inefficiencies and optimize resource use - saving costs in the long run.

More than that, Net Zero is a gateway to Vietnam’s domestic carbon credit market, slated for pilot launch in 2027. Each ton of reduced emissions could become a new revenue stream. Companies that master their data and emissions controls will possess valuable assets.

Green lifestyle education is being introduced to primary school curriculums. Photo: Organizers

Businesses that are transparent about their emissions are gaining trust in global markets. As ESG becomes a non-negotiable standard in export industries, proving emission reductions is not optional - it’s a survival requirement.

This is why the organizers of the “For a Green National Environment” program and the “Journey to Net Zero” initiative are ensuring support reaches beyond large enterprises with ample resources. The program targets SMEs still grappling with regulations and forms, offering clear guidance and accessible starting points.

At this juncture, inaction means self-exclusion. Failing to join means falling behind in the green integration era. Refusing to connect with existing support systems is akin to navigating a policy jungle alone.

Vietnam has committed. The market is shifting. The door is open. The only question that remains is: What action will your business take, and when? If the answer is still pending, start with a simple step - join the National Conference “Journey to Net Zero” hosted by the Institute for Green Growth Studies on the morning of Saturday, June 28.

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