Thefive-year project funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF)through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) hopes to reducethe greenhouse gas emission by at least 383,000 tonnes within theproject lifetime, heard a workshop in Hanoi on May 29.
It aims to help Vietnam reduce CO2 emissions by gradually cutting downon the use of fossil fuels and soil for brick making, while increasingthe production, sales and utilisation of non-fired brick, said deputyhead of the Department of Science and Technology Nguyen Dinh Hau.
The main inputs are industrial waste materials, and the production process is environmentally more sound.
Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Tran Van Tung said while thedomestic financial sources are limited, the appeal to internationalsupport and experience is of necessity.
The ministrypledges to give full assistance for local authorities to realise theaforesaid targets and implement successfully the Government’s non-firedbrick development programme, he added.
According toUNDP Director Vietnam Louise Chamberlain, the construction sector in theSoutheast Asian country records an average growth of 8 percent peryear, noting that the demand for building bricks is increasing but up to80 percent of which are fired clay bricks that have harmful impacts onnatural resources and environment.
Participantsheard that the Vietnamese Government has put forth a number of policiesto reduce environmental contamination.
Theimplementation of the non-fired brick project is hoped to makesignificant contributions to the country’s green growth strategy anddevelopment of involved businesses.-VNA