Da Nang was officially awarded the title ‘National Capital of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)’s One Planet City Challenge 2018 (OPCC) programme’ in a ceremony on Friday, making it the only city in Viet Nam to join a list of 21 cities around the world for the title of the global winner of the OPCC 2018.

On behalf of the city leaders and citizens, Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Ngoc Tuan (right) receiving a certificate of recognition of the city as the ‘National Capital of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)’s One Planet City Challenge 2018 (OPCC)’ from Country Director of WWF-Viet Nam Van Ngoc Thinh

Addressing the event, Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Ngoc Tuan remarked that the title demonstrates recognition by the global community on tremendous efforts made by the city in developing policies and initiatives for making it become the leading green city with sustainable development in Viet Nam.

With the support from WWF Viet Nam, the city has successfully developed practical plans on the reduction of Green House Gas (GHG) and carbon emissions.

Importance has been attached to promoting the utility of renewable energy sources through developing solar power systems, increasing the public consumption of bio-fuel, initiating the construction of an urban waste-to-energy plant, enhancing the green transport development, especially with Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) routes, and establishing wastewater treatment systems throughout the city.

Da Nang really impressed the international jury board with its ambitious and innovative climate actions in an active response to the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change. Accordingly, the city submitted a target of decreasing carbon emissions by 25% from 2016 emission levels by 2030.

According to Vice Chairman Tuan, in a bid to fulfill its commitment, the city will focus on developing a ‘green’ transport system,and promoting the use of renewable energy in buildings, and transport, trade and service activities.

In particular, the criterion of ‘green city’ will become one of the major implementation tasks that must be fulfilled under the landmark project ‘Building Da Nang into an environmentally-friendly City’ in the coming time.

The prestigious title, indeed, will further inspire the local government, businesses, organisations and the whole community to work together more vigorously and consistently towards the successful implementation of the highly important project in the coming time.

As part of the announcement ceremony, a photo exhibition featuring the city’s environment took place.