Circular economy - new driving force for the capital's development

Although accounting for only 1% of the area and 8.5% of the population, Hanoi contributes over 16% of GDP, 18.5% of the budget revenue and 8.6% of the total import and export turnover of the whole country... In that development, the circular economy is becoming a driving force and new expectation for the sustainable development of the Capital.

Bean sprout growing model of Thanh Ha Agricultural Production and Service Cooperative (Hong Van commune). Photo: Nguyen Quang

Promoting the application of circular economy

According to Clause 1, Article 142 of the Law on Environmental Protection 2020, circular economy is understood as a model in which design, production, consumption and service activities are organized to reduce raw material exploitation, extend product life cycle, limit waste and minimize negative impacts on the environment.

The application of circular economy not only helps reduce waste treatment costs and protect the ecosystem, but also opens up opportunities to form new, environmentally friendly industries, products and technologies. At the same time, circular economy also contributes to restructuring the economy, improving labor productivity, promoting industrialization and modernization, and enhancing Vietnam's ability to participate in the global value chain.

To implement this orientation, the Hanoi People's Committee has issued a plan to implement the "Project on developing science and application, transferring technology to promote circular economy in agriculture by 2030". Accordingly, the City requires integrating circular economy right from the planning stage, focusing on three main pillars: Design, extending the life cycle of materials; reducing waste and emissions; restoring ecosystems. The goal by 2030 is that at least 20% of science and technology tasks in Hanoi's agricultural sector will directly serve the development of circular economy. The City also aims to build and expand the market for consuming circular agricultural products, towards green, sustainable agriculture, contributing to economic growth and protecting the environment.

In fact, in Hanoi, many households have successfully implemented circular models. A typical example is the model of rice cultivation combined with raising crabs, fish, and loaches, creating high and sustainable economic value. Some typical models include: Breeding cows with 170 Zebu cows in the former districts of Ba Vi, Thach That, Ung Hoa, My Duc, and Soc Son; a model of raising colored chickens for sale according to VietGAP standards in the districts of Phuc Tho, Chuong My, Thach That, My Duc, and Ba Vi.

In the period of 2021 - 2023, Hanoi has implemented over 50 research projects related to circular agriculture, of which 15 have been applied in practice, bringing about clear results. Thanks to that, farmers have access to scientific and technical advances, biotechnology, producing safe, high-quality products, forming a closed chain. As a result, economic efficiency increased by 15 - 20% compared to the traditional production model.

Not only in agriculture, Hanoi also promotes the application of circular economy in industry and handicrafts. Many businesses have applied international standards such as ISO 14001 on environmental management, ISO 50001 on energy management, or LEED on green construction to optimize production processes. In particular, large corporations have established the Vietnam Packaging Recycling Alliance with 40 members, including major brands such as TH Group, Coca-Cola, LaVie, Nestlé, Nutifood... The alliance commits to recycling all packaging in Vietnam by 2030, contributing to reducing plastic waste and promoting green consumption. In parallel, many public-private partnership agreements on plastic waste management according to the circular model have also been implemented. The city aims to develop ecological industrial parks, green industry, circular industry, combined with smart production models and sustainable consumption, thereby creating a foundation for long-term development.

Diversifying circular economic models

Hanoi has great potential for circular economic development thanks to its advantages in area, population, business community, technology level, market size and investment capital. To realize this goal, Hanoi promotes propaganda and raises social awareness of circular economy; at the same time, perfects mechanisms, policies and standards in line with international trends. The development and implementation of circular economic development plans must be linked to the strategies, planning of sectors and fields as well as the socio-economic development of the Capital and the Capital Region.

In agriculture, priority is given to developing large-scale concentrated production areas and clusters, connecting the “4 houses” in the value chain, applying high technology, organic and ecological, ensuring food safety according to international standards. In addition, focus on developing craft villages, OCOP products, advantageous plants and animals and turning by-products into high-value products. The agricultural value chain must replace vulnerable linkage chains, while strengthening research and application of genetic technology, biotechnology, and digital technology in the production, management, processing and preservation of agricultural products.

Another important task is to build brands, geographical indications, comply with production processes and traceability to ensure quality and international standards. Hanoi needs to invest in developing "industrial-agricultural clusters", build a transparent supply-demand database, and move towards forming an "agricultural product trading floor" using digital technology.

In industry, encourage the formation of ecological industrial parks and circular industrial clusters; promote the use of renewable energy and green means of transport; promote technological innovation, build a national material and technology data platform, and rebuild technical infrastructure to serve the circular cycle. Along with that, Hanoi effectively mobilizes social resources through public-private partnerships, administrative reforms; changes consumer behavior towards using environmentally friendly goods, circular labels; develops a green living culture in the community. The city also develops a green financial market, tools to support the circular economy, and at the same time tightens corporate responsibility for waste. Equipping the younger generation with basic knowledge of the circular economy is a necessary step to create a long-term foundation.

Spreading the demand and diversifying the circular economic model, covering all economic and social activities at both macro and micro levels, is an inevitable trend and new driving force for the Capital. This is not only a tool, but also a vision and expectation for Hanoi to develop sustainably in a green, clean, livable direction, becoming the pride of future generations.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/kinh-te-tuan-hoan-dong-luc-moi-cho-phat-trien-thu-do-717640.html