The Kinh te & Do thi Newspaper (Economic & Urban Newspaper) will host a seminar titled “Reducing Emissions through Green Transportation: A Complex Challenge?” tomorrow (August 15).

The seminar will address the main causes of air pollution in Hanoi and evaluate the practical benefits of green transportation for the environment and public health.

Experts will discuss the challenges and difficulties of the transition, from infrastructure gaps to changing public habits, and solutions for air pollution, a pressing issue that severely affects public health and quality of life in major cities like Hanoi.

Passengers in the queue to take the Cat Linh - Ha Dong metro. Photo: The Hanoi Times

Transportation is among the primary causes of air pollution. Emissions from millions of vehicles each day lead to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases and impact people’s health.

In response to this situation, Hanoi has released policies to improve air quality, encouraged the use of public, green transportation, and reduced personal vehicles.

The capital has put over 132 bus routes into operation and deployed many electrical and compressed natural gas-based buses.

Local authorities have licensed thousands of electric taxis, and launched public bicycle services in many urban districts.

Especially, the operations of the Cat Linh - Ha Dong and Nhon - Hanoi metro lines has marked a significant milestone in reducing traffic congestion and air pollution.

However, transitioning to green transportation in Hanoi still faces numerous challenges. Among those challenges is the infrastructure investment to build charging stations and clean fuel stations.

It also requires time and tremendous financial resources to replace fossil-fueled buses with electric buses. While it’s difficult and time-consuming to change people’s habits of using personal vehicles to public transport.

Hanoi needs more comprehensive solutions and policies to enhance public awareness and develop incentives for related parties. Additionally, they will propose various solutions in policy-making, technology development, and community awareness enhancement.

Hopefully, the seminar will mark an important first step towards finding effective solutions for this issue.

According to Assoc. Prof., Dr. Nguyen Thanh Loi, the newspaper’s Editor-in-Chief, transitioning to green transportation is no longer a matter of ease or difficulty but an imperative task. Reducing emissions in road transport is a crucial mission on the path to achieving net zero emissions by 2050.

The seminar will take place at the Hanoi Metro Company in Ha Dong District. It will be livestreamed on the newspaper’s website at kinhtedothi.vn.