Arup and the Vietnam Green Building Council (VGBC) have signed a landmark memorandum of understanding (MOU) to advance sustainable construction in the country.
Signed last month at Arup’s office in Ho Chi Minh City, the strategic alliance aims to propel Vietnam towards its 2050 carbon neutrality goal through innovative and sustainable construction practices.
The MOU establishes a collaborative framework for collaboration among the parties, focusing on the development of the Vietnam Zero Carbon Ready Framework. This initiative is designed to reduce the operational carbon of the existing building sector by integrating low-carbon operation, energy-efficient designs and innovative technologies.
Dr Jingfeng Xu, Arup’s Ho Chi Minh City office leader, said: “Our partnership with VGBC and the expertise brought by Dr Cary Chan marks a cornerstone in our commitment to transforming Vietnam’s construction landscape. By leveraging Arup’s global resources and VGBC’s local insights, we aim to set new benchmarks for sustainability that can serve as a model for other regions.”
Ms Phan Thu Hang, chair of the VGBC, said: “We are thrilled to announce the signing of the MOU on the Climate Change Framework. Together, we are setting a powerful roadmap for sustainability that challenges us to think creatively and act decisively.”
Mr Douglas Lee Snyder, executive director of the VGBC, added: “Through this collaboration, we will enhance our capacity to educate, certify and innovate within the industry, driving towards a sustainable future that benefits not only our economy but also the global environment.”
Dr Cary Chan, independent advisor and the former executive director of the Hong Kong Green Building Council (HKGBC), said: “The integration of comprehensive sustainability frameworks such as the one we are developing is crucial for mitigating climate change impacts. This agreement represents a proactive step towards impactful environmental stewardship.”
Following the MOU signing, the parties convened for an in-depth workshop to discuss the detail action plan for the Vietnam Climate Change Framework. Key outcomes included the formation of dedicated teams, assignment of roles and deliverables and the establishment of a timeline that spans short, mid and long-term objectives.
The session also drew on insights from the Climate Change Framework by HKGBC, together with the technical support from Arup’s Hong Kong team to provide a robust model for Vietnam’s own zero-carbon ready certification ambitions and green finance structures.
This collaborative effort is expected to drive significant advancements in making Vietnam’s built environment sustainable and resilient to climate challenges.
Upcoming initiatives include:
- Benchmarking and improving energy use in buildings across Vietnam
- Developing a robust zero-carbon ready certification system to foster advancements towards net-zero carbon readiness
- Engaging with governmental, private sector, academia, NGOs and financial sector to support sustainable development policies
Main image: Arup and Vietnam Green Building Council sign MOU to advance sustainable construction
Read next: Australia’s Symal goes for growth with Azure AI
Are you a building professional? Sign up for a FREE MEMBERSHIP to upload news stories, post job vacancies, and connect with colleagues on our secure social feed.
