13.2.1. Low-carbon energy tracking

In an era where sustainable development has become a core mission of higher education, the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) continues to affirm its pioneering role in the journey toward emission reduction and carbon neutrality. By implementing a comprehensive monitoring and measurement system for low-carbon energy across all campuses, UEH not only demonstrates its strong commitment to clean energy but also realizes its vision of becoming a “multidisciplinary, sustainable, and socially responsible university.”

Every figure recorded in this monitoring system is more than just technical data — it serves as vivid evidence of UEH’s green transition journey, where knowledge, technology, and community consciousness intertwine to create a low-emission and sustainable future.

Policies and Directions for Low-Carbon Energy:

Following Vietnam’s commitment to achieve net-zero emissions at the COP26 Conference in 2021, the Government has implemented a series of strategies and action plans to accelerate the transition toward low-carbon energy. According to the National Green Growth Strategy for the 2021–2030 period, with a vision to 2050 (Decision No. 1658/QĐ-TTg dated October 1, 2021), and the National Climate Change Strategy to 2050 (Decision No. 896/QĐ-TTg dated July 26, 2022), Vietnam aims to build a low-emission economy, promote energy efficiency, and significantly increase the share of renewable energy in the national energy mix.

In alignment with this national direction, the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) has established a vision to become a “carbon-neutral university,” advancing toward a sustainable university model where teaching, research, and operational activities are all associated with emission reduction. In its Sustainable Development Strategy for the 2021–2030 period, UEH focuses on three key policy groups:

Green Energy: Gradually expanding solar power systems at campuses N, A, and B, and conducting research for implementation at UEH Mekong, aiming to increase the proportion of renewable energy in total electricity consumption.

Energy and Water Management: Applying the Monitoring – Reporting – Verification (MRV) model to track electricity, water, and indirect emissions, thereby optimizing resource use efficiency.

Green Mobility: Implementing policies that encourage staff, lecturers, and students to use bicycles, electric vehicles, and public transportation, while developing pedestrian-friendly infrastructure aligned with Decree No. 06/2022/NĐ-CP on greenhouse gas emission reduction and ozone layer protection.

At the same time, UEH actively integrates sustainable education and low-carbon energy content into training programs, communications, and interdisciplinary research. Through the UEH Green Campus Living Lab model, real-world data on electricity, water, and transportation are utilized as learning tools, enabling students and researchers to directly engage in the green transition process.

During the period 2025–2030, UEH will continue to improve its university-wide low-carbon energy monitoring system by applying digital technologies for real-time data collection and analysis. This serves as an essential foundation for UEH to gradually achieve the Net Zero 2050 target, while contributing to the implementation of national strategies on green growth and climate change.

Scope and Measurement Methodology:

The low-carbon energy monitoring activity has been implemented across the entire system of the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH), including buildings and campuses at facilities N, A, B, and UEH Mekong. The purpose of this initiative is to assess the efficiency of energy use, determine the proportion of low-carbon energy within total consumption, and advance emission management in line with the university’s net-zero emission orientation.

Analytical Methodology:

The measurement scope focuses on key indicators reflecting UEH’s overall energy consumption, including:

+ Total floor area of all buildings within the university system – serving as the basis for conversion and assessment of energy intensity.

+ Total electricity consumption across all facilities, recorded through electricity bills, meters, and the internal energy management system.

+ Total electricity consumption from low-carbon sources (mainly solar energy), determined from the output of solar power systems installed at UEH campuses.

Data are collected and aggregated annually by the Facilities Management Department, in compliance with the technical guidelines on greenhouse gas inventory issued by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (2021). Measurement, reporting, and verification are carried out in accordance with the MRV (Measurement – Reporting – Verification) principle, as regulated in Decision No. 01/2022/QĐ-TTg on the national MRV system for greenhouse gas mitigation activities.

During the data conversion and analysis process, Emission Factors recommended by the IPCC and IEA are applied, with adjustments made to reflect Vietnam’s energy conditions. The results serve as a scientific basis for UEH to determine the share of low-carbon energy use, supporting policy formulation and investment in energy-saving and renewable energy solutions in the coming phases.

UEH Data in 2024

The above data demonstrate that a low-carbon energy foundation has been clearly established in UEH’s operational activities, with a transparent and well-quantified monitoring system for each energy source. Establishing and maintaining this monitoring mechanism not only enables the university to accurately identify its energy consumption status but also provides a scientific foundation for policymaking, infrastructure investment, and the expansion of renewable energy applications across the system.

This represents a significant step in the development of a comprehensive university-wide low-carbon energy management system, aiming toward a model of efficient, resource-saving, and low-emission operations. More importantly, these efforts affirm UEH’s strong commitment to realizing its vision of becoming a “Carbon-Neutral University – Net Zero 2050”, thereby making a tangible contribution to Vietnam’s national goals for green growth and sustainable development.

Open related links: 

1. https://www.ueh.edu.vn/en/news/harnessing-solar-power-uehs-commitment-to-sustainable-energy–72799