Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam has been urged to reduceits use of coal-fired energy and develop renewable energy to proactivelyrespond to climate change and ensure energy security, heard a panel discussionof the Vietnam Economic Forum 2019 in Hanoi on January 17.

John Kerry, former US Secretary ofState, said climate change is a very big problem in the world, not only inVietnam, and it always has a close connection with the energy sector. With arelatively fast growth rate, Vietnam needs to carry out effective solutions tocope with climate change.

Many countries have gradually been switchingfrom traditional energy sources to new and renewable ones. This is a commontrend to sustainably develop energy and mitigate climate change impacts, hesaid.

Asia-Pacific is consuming the most coal in theworld and faces the impact of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, he noted, addingthat even when new technologies are applied, coal-fired power generation stillemits the most GHG.

Kerry called for countries to use clean energyas soon as possible, saying coal-fired power generation is not cheaper than newand clean energy sources.

It is unnecessary to depend on coal-fired energygeneration, and Vietnam, with clean energy potential like hydro, solar and windpower advantages, should tap into sustainable renewable energy sources andreduce GHG emissions, he added.

[Challenges facing solar power development in Vietnam]

Welcoming the Vietnamese Government’s efforts,Ambassador Bruno Angelet, head of the EU Delegation to Vietnam, said theSoutheast Asian nation is one of the countries most vulnerable to climatechange.

It is not accidental that the EU has implementedthe biggest energy programme in a non-EU country in Vietnam, withnon-refundable aid of about 270 million EUR, he said. This programme aims tofacilitate remote and low-income residents’ access to electricity and help theGovernment design a more comprehensive energy transition strategy.

He suggested developing rooftop solar systems onresidential and industrial buildings.

In energy transition, the country needs to takeinto consideration the fact that local power demand will increase threefold by2030. Therefore, renewable energy should play an important role in the energystructure, Angelet said, adding that the transition from polluting energysources to clean ones needs to be carried out step by step and comprehensively.

At the discussion, participants looked into therisks that climate change may pose to Vietnam’s sustainable development andenergy security. They also talked ways to diversify energy sources, improveefficient energy use and develop renewable energy.-VNA