Agriculture activities are estimated to account for approximately 43 per cent of Vietnam’s total greenhouse gas emissions, or 65 to 150 million tons of CO₂ per year, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Do Duc Duy has said.

According to Mr. Tang The Cuong, Director of the Climate Change Department, the largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions is energy, accounting for 62 per cent, followed by agriculture.

To address this, Minister Duy said, a concerted effort is necessary to cut greenhouse gas emissions in the sector, aiming for net-zero by 2050. Many areas within the agriculture sector have the potential to secure carbon certification and reach the net-zero target by 2050.

“Current realities demand that we further improve the efficiency of natural resources use, effectively address environmental pollution challenges, and proactively prevent natural disasters and respond to climate change,” he emphasized.

At a recent forum, Mr. Nguyen Quoc Huy, an outstanding Vietnamese farmer in 2023 and Chairman of the Tam Dao Mushroom Cooperative, reported that the cooperative is investing in the development of mulberry cultivation areas in northern Lao Cai, Tuyen Quang, Yen Bai, and Cao Bang provinces.

Growing mulberry yields high incomes, of up to VND300 million ($11,800) annually, with a net profit of VND180 million ($7,070) annually after expenses. The entire mulberry cultivation and silkworm rearing process uses minimal chemical fertilizers containing inorganic nitrogen, protecting the environment and enriching the soil.

The cooperative is collaborating with various localities to expand mulberry cultivation and export products globally. The opportunities for silk and silk products in Vietnam are highly promising for international markets, particularly India, Mr. Huy noted.

Importantly, for long-term sustainability, these facilities do not use pesticides or high-nitrogen fertilizers, resulting in excellent environmental protection. Based on this, Mr. Huy proposed measuring and certifying carbon credits for large-scale mulberry cultivation areas to promote green agriculture.

Minister Duy highlighted the great demand for mulberry cultivation and silkworm rearing, both domestically and internationally, adding that further investment in organic fertilizers and biosecurity measures in mulberry cultivation will result in very low emissions, creating potential for carbon credit sales.

“We can develop formulas and methods for issuing and trading carbon credits for mulberry cultivation areas, enhancing economic efficiency and contributing to achieving the net-zero target by 2050,” he said.

The Minister believes that not only this sector but also many other areas of agricultural production can aim for carbon certification and carbon credit trading to achieve the net-zero target by 2050.