Cooperative relations between Vietnam and the Czech Republic span over 70 years, encompassing various well-leveraged fields such as trade, education, healthcare, and, notably, environmental protection. Amid the global challenges of climate change, environmental collaboration has become a strategic priority, enabling numerous opportunities for businesses in both countries. “The cooperation potential between Vietnam and the Czech Republic in environmental technology, particularly in areas like waste recycling, is immense,” H.E. Hynek Kmoníček, Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Vietnam, told VET during the “Networking Workshop on Czech - Vietnamese Environmental Technologies” in Hanoi on December 4.

Mutual commitment

According to figures from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE), approximately 1.8 million tons of plastic waste is released into the environment in Vietnam each year, with around 280,000 to 730,000 tons ending up in the ocean. Only 27 per cent of the total is recycled and utilized by facilities and businesses. Strengthening cooperation with the Czech Republic, a country known for its advanced technology and expertise in environmental management, can therefore provide valuable support for Vietnam in addressing these challenges.

The Czech Republic has been one of Vietnam’s key partners in Eastern Europe in the field of natural resources and environmental management. MoNRE has engaged with relevant ministries and agencies in the Czech Republic in numerous collaborative endeavors and joint research initiatives focused on environmental protection and waste management solutions for Vietnam.

Notably, the Czech Republic has made remarkable strides forward in developing environmental technologies and has extensive experience in waste management and environmental protection, thereby helping Vietnam enhance its waste treatment and recycling efforts.

According to Ambassador Kmoníček, when the Czech Republic joined the EU it had virtually no environmental industry to speak of. Over the last 20 years, however, the country has built a robust and competitive sector, making it one of the leaders in the bloc. “Vietnam is now at the early stages of a similar journey within ASEAN, laying the groundwork for environmental protection while seeking to generate profits from sustainable activities,” the Ambassador said. “The Czech Republic can share valuable technologies and the experience we accumulated during our own transition as an EU member.”

Environmental protection is increasingly seen in Vietnam as one of the key objectives in the development of a circular economy. Recognizing the importance of sustainable practices, the country has focused on improving waste management systems, especially concerning plastic waste. In 2020, it introduced the Law on Environmental Protection, with associated regulations on waste treatment costs based on weight and requirements for sorting waste “at the source”, to encourage recycling. Through such strong and ambitious measures, Vietnam is not only aiming to address its growing waste issues but also positioning itself as a leader in adopting circular economy principles in the region. These efforts are crucial in fostering a more sustainable future and supporting economic growth while reducing the environmental impact.

Further cooperation

Within the framework of the Project to Strengthen Plastic Waste Management in Vietnam, the country has set an ambitious target of collecting, reusing, recycling, and treating 85 per cent of all plastic waste generated by 2025. This is a significant step towards mitigating the negative impact of this waste on the environment, especially in the context of growing plastic waste pollution globally. Vietnam also aims to reduce plastic waste in its seas and oceans by 50 per cent; an urgent issue due to its direct impact on marine ecosystems, fisheries resources, and human health.

Similarly, the Czech Republic has set an ambitious goal of separating 60 per cent of its waste by 2025. Over the past decade, cities around the country have implemented the mandatory sorting of various waste categories, including plastics, cardboard, glass, metal, and organic waste. This initiative has contributed to a significant reduction in landfill waste and improved recycling rates.

By 2025, Czech cities will be required to introduce separate bins for textile waste, addressing the growing environmental challenge posed by textile pollution. This new initiative is part of a broader effort to improve waste management and reduce the environmental impact of discarded textiles. Given these advancements, Vietnam can draw valuable lessons from the Czech Republic’s effective waste management strategies, benefiting from the country’s experience in developing comprehensive waste separation systems, which have proven to be essential in maximizing recycling and minimizing landfills.

In terms of environmental technology, Ambassador Kmoníček said Czech expertise covers areas such as waste management, water resource purification, and air quality improvements. For instance, the country had to build an entirely new European-standard waste management system from scratch, achieving parity with countries like France and Germany. “This mirrors Vietnam’s current stage, and we can offer valuable insights to accelerate progress,” he added.

Mr. Josef Benes, Head of the Take-back Policies Unit in the Circular Economy and Waste Management Department at the Czech Republic’s Ministry of the Environment, said that in order to unlock the cooperative potential, businesses from both countries must further strengthen their collaboration on environmental protection issues and exchange in-depth knowledge on waste treatment solutions, while sharing experience to ensure long-term relations. “Such collaboration will contribute to the protection of the shared environment of both countries in the future,” he said.

Additionally, the two countries need to promote the signing of bilateral agreements on technology transfer and research and development (R&D) in the environmental sector. Vietnam, with its urgent needs and policies that encourage sustainable development, combined with the Czech Republic, as an experienced partner, can definitely build effective environmental technology projects that contribute to environmental protection and sustainable economic development in both. “Czech companies are willing to collaborate with Vietnamese counterparts, sharing both technical expertise and insights into navigating government partnerships, which is an essential aspect of scaling environmental solutions,” Ambassador Kmoníček said.

       In addition to this, cooperation in education related to environmental fields is also a crucial element of future collaboration between the two countries. By fostering academic partnerships, Vietnam and the Czech Republic could exchange knowledge, research, and innovative solutions to address environmental challenges. This collaboration could include joint educational programs, research initiatives, and scholarships, enabling students and professionals from both countries to gain expertise in sustainable practices, environmental technologies, and policy development. “Czech universities, some of which specialize in environmental programs, are ready to partner with Vietnam by offering undergraduate and postgraduate courses to Vietnamese students,” Ambassador Kmoníček noted. “These initiatives are already underway, and there is potential to expand them further.”