Environmental sustainability in Vietnam: The role of alternative energy, GDP growth, natural resources

Vietnam, significantly impacted by climate change, aims for net zero emissions by 2050, supported by the National Climate Change Strategy and the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP).Despite these efforts, Vietnam's Power Development Plan 8 (PDP8) indicates continued fossil fuel reliance until at least 2030.This study examines the impact of alternative energy resources, natural resources, and government spending on Vietnam's ecological sustainability from 1990 to 2021, using the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) framework.The findings reveal an inverse relationship between CO2 emissions and renewable energy use and natural resources, while CO2 emissions positively correlate with economic growth, contradicting the EKC hypothesis.Effective policies require equitable distribution and adherence to regulations.Vietnam should enhance renewable energy adoption, enforce stricter regulations on natural resource exploitation, integrate environmental impact assessments into economic planning, and foster public awareness and education on sustainable practices.These strategies will support Vietnam's transition to a sustainable economy, aligning economic growth with environmental preservation.