Energy Efficiency: Strategic Pillar for Net Zero & Security

Perfecting Energy Institutions: The Foundation for Green Transition

According to Mr. Nguyen Phuong Tuan, economical and efficient use of energy has become a strategic pillar in ensuring energy security and realizing Net Zero commitments.

Speaking with Industry and Trade Newspaper, Mr. Nguyen Phuong Tuan – Deputy Chairman of the National Assembly’s Committee on Science, Technology, and Environment, emphasized the role of energy efficiency in the green transition.

Deputy Chairman of the National Assembly’s Committee on Science, Technology and Environment, Nguyen Phuong Tuan. Photo: People’s Representative

Perfecting the Legal Framework Reporter: How do you assess the Ministry of Industry and Trade’s (MOIT) work on perfecting institutions in the energy sector, especially the amendment of the Law on Economical and Efficient Use of Energy, in the context of energy security and green transition requirements?

Mr. Nguyen Phuong Tuan: In 2025, the Government assigned MOIT to preside over the drafting of several key laws, such as the Law amending and supplementing the Law on Economical and Efficient Use of Energy; the National Assembly’s Resolution on mechanisms and policies for national energy development for the 2026–2030 period; and the Law on E-commerce. These are documents of pivotal significance in institutionalizing the Party and State’s socio-economic development guidelines for the new period.

In the context where ensuring energy security, using resources efficiently, and implementing Net Zero commitments are increasingly urgent, MOIT’s review and amendment of the Law on Economical and Efficient Use of Energy demonstrates a spirit of proactivity, responsibility, and determination to innovate and perfect the legal framework for sustainable development.

Regarding the quality of institution building, MOIT has demonstrated a modern approach, approaching international trends, and simultaneously addressing practical requirements and the nation’s long-term orientation. The draft law incorporates many new policy groups of strategic value, notably:

Perfecting the system of standards, regulations, and energy norms.
Expanding energy labeling to product groups and materials that significantly impact energy consumption over the construction life cycle.
Tightening the management mechanism for key energy-using facilities with requirements for data transparency, saving plans, and periodic audits.

Especially, for the first time, we have incorporated the Energy Service Company (ESCO) model and energy performance contracts into the law, creating a legal corridor for the energy service market. Simultaneously, proposing the establishment of a Fund to promote economical and efficient use of energy; mobilizing green financial resources; and emphasizing the role of digital transformation, smart metering, and the national energy database system.

These orientations have closely adhered to energy efficiency requirements, demonstrating a pioneering spirit in institutionalizing international commitments on emission reduction, aligning with green economy and low-carbon economy trends.

Realizing the Net Zero Goal Reporter: How do you assess the strategic importance of economical and efficient energy use for national energy security and Vietnam’s Net Zero goal?

Mr. Nguyen Phuong Tuan: In the current period of profound energy transition, economical and efficient energy use has become a strategic pillar in ensuring energy security and implementing Vietnam’s Net Zero commitments. This is a cheap, sustainable solution that brings immediate efficiency without requiring large investments in new energy sources.

In the context of Vietnam’s rapidly increasing electricity demand, energy saving contributes to ensuring energy security by reducing load growth rates, reducing investment pressure on power sources and grids, and improving the system’s resilience during times of supply stress. Every 1% of electricity saved is equivalent to billions of kWh, directly contributing to system stability and reducing dependence on imported fuels.

[Image illustration: Energy saving helps businesses reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase competitiveness.]

Furthermore, energy efficiency is a crucial foundation for achieving the Net Zero goal. It reduces energy consumption and emissions from major industries such as steel, cement, chemicals, and textiles—sectors with high emission intensity.

This is also a factor enhancing enterprise competitiveness in the context where ESG (Environmental – Social – Governance) standards, the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), and green supply chain requirements are becoming the new “rules of the game.”

Energy saving helps reduce production costs, improve operational efficiency, and meet the environmental requirements of the international market. Businesses using energy efficiently will have advantages in trade and exports. This aligns with global development trends and plays a pivotal role in building Vietnam’s green and low-carbon economy.

It can be affirmed that economical and efficient energy use is the “key” for Vietnam to realize the Net Zero goal, enhance competitiveness, and move towards sustainable development.

The Role of Communication Reporter: Sir, what role does media play in promoting energy efficiency, and what do we need to do to spread the spirit of green transition?

Mr. Nguyen Phuong Tuan: I believe that media plays an especially important role. Communication not only disseminates policies but also contributes to changing perceptions and behaviors, and rousing the spirit of social responsibility towards the green transition goal. In the current sustainable development phase, media has truly become a “soft driving force” with deep and wide influence.

Media helps translate complex technical content into easy-to-understand and easy-to-implement messages, linking energy saving with economic benefits and environmental responsibility. Simultaneously, spreading pioneer models and examples has created inspiration, motivating the community and businesses to act.

To spread the green transition spirit more strongly, it is necessary to push multi-platform communication; enhance data-driven communication; honor good models and pioneering enterprises; and link communication with community movements. Then, economical and efficient energy use will not only be a management task but become a broad social movement, contributing to ensuring energy security.

Reporter: Thank you, Sir!

Note: At the 9th Session of the 15th National Assembly, the National Assembly passed the Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Economical and Efficient Use of Energy. According to experts, this is an important foundation to promote green transition, energy transition, and energy efficiency in Vietnam, thereby contributing to green growth and greenhouse gas emission reduction.