Workshops on “Green Growth & Climate Modelling” jointly organized by UEH and the World Bank, May 2024

The World Bank and the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) co-hosted a two-day workshop themed "Green Growth & Climate Modelling". This event was held on May 6^th and May 7^th, 2024, at Campus A, University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City in combination with face-to-face at UEH and online for international rapporteurs and attendants. More than 50 participants attended the workshop to share insights and discuss strategies to enhance sustainable economic growth and climate change adaptation in Vietnam.

Prof. Su Dinh Thanh gave the opening speech at the conference

On the World Bank side, Dr. Muthukumara S. Mani - Lead Environmental Economist; Dr. Dorsati Madani - Senior Country Economist; Dr. Vu Hoang Quyen - Senior Governance Specialist; Dr. Vaideeswaran S. - Senior Consultant; Dr. Leonardo Garrido - Senior Consultant; Dr. Sacha Dray - Economist and Modeler; Dr. Lilit Mitik Beyene - Senior Economist and Modeler; Dr. Ira Irina Dorband - Economist and Modeler; Dr. Thu Thi Le Nguyen - Research analysis and Modeler; and Assoc.Prof. Harald Heubaum - World Bank Consultant were present at the workshop.

From UEH, Prof. Su Dinh Thanh – President of UEH; Prof. Nguyen Trong Hoai – Editor-in-Chief of Journal of Asian Business and Economic Studies – JABES; Assoc.Prof. Pham Khanh Nam – Rector of UEH College of Economics, Law and Government (CELG); and with many other professors and PhD students of UEH College of Economics, Law and Government (CELG) also participated.

On May 6^th, 2024, the World Bank representatives focused on showcasing their initial research results from their Green Growth Studies currently being implemented by the World Bank in Vietnam, which included Carbon Pricing Assessment Tool (CPAT) for Policy Analysis applicable to Vietnam; Reconciling High Growth and the Challenge of Climate Change; Governance, Policies, and Institutions for Green Growth; and Marine Spatial Planning. These studies explored and examined critical areas such as marine economy, green fiscal policies, climate adaptation, governance, growth and renewable energy consumption. UEH Professors also presented and supplemented their research findings on these critical areas regarding Green Growth.

Ms. Dorsati Madani presented on the topic of Climate Change

Several research results became popularly debated topics, such as:

Vietnam has achieved impressive economic growth over the past four decades although at a high environmental cost, with environmental degradation estimated to be equivalent to 10% of GDP.
Climate change imposed a serious threat, potentially costing 13% of GDP by 2050 assuming an optimistic scenario.
Vietnam's carbon-intensive manufacturing sector faces competitiveness risks due to energy shortages and shifting global attitudes towards green production and consumption.
Inaction can be costly, while adaptation investments promise economic and social benefits.
Achieving mitigation targets requires an integrated approach, including carbon pricing, complementary policies (incentives, regulations, standards).
The marine economy is a significant economic driver, but unsustainable practices such as overfishing, pollution and ecosystem loss jeopardize the sector's growth potential.

Attendees raised questions directly to representatives from the World Bank

Many prospective strategies for addressing these challenges were discussed during the first workshop, including improving data and decision-making tools, enforcing risk-based planning, investing in nature-based solutions, ensuring equity, improving infrastructure to adapt to climate change, and strengthening fisheries management.

An online question and answer session with Mr. Harald Heubaum

World Bank representatives discussing with attendees in the first workshop

The second day was spent for experts from the World Bank to demonstrate the methods, tools and research models on Green Growth they are currently applying. These models included the MANAGE model – the model of mitigation, adaptation and new technologies applied general equilibrium, the MINDSET model – the model of innovation in dynamic low -carbon structural economic and employment transformations, the Carbon Pricing Assessment Tool (CPAT) for policy analysis and the Triple Dividend Methodology. Specifically, the Triple Dividend Methodology model is a systematic technique to evaluating different project options to determine the best one that creates the highest welfare for society by using the costs – benefits analysis with the goals of (1) avoiding losses, (2) utilizing economic potential, and (3) generating social, environmental, and economical benefits for the project.

Presenter Ira Irina Dorband discussed the MINDSET model

Throughout the final workshop, academic experts from UEH and the World Bank actively contributed knowledge, encouraged a rich exchange of ideas and shared commitment to sustain Vietnam’s long-term economic development.

Training session and discussion on the MANAGE model

World Bank and UEH representatives with took photos together at the end of the workshop

Although the Green Growth workshop emphasized the urgency of solutions to environmental and global challenges, this workshop connects strongly to the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City’s strategic vision, as UEH always commit to lessen the impacts of these challenges through innovative research and collaboration Therefore, by bringing together diverse experts with remarkable in-depth research, the World Bank – UEH workshop has paved the way for academic experts to act together towards a greener, more resilient future for Vietnam and the world.

News, photos: UEH College of Economics, Law and Government, Department of Marketing - Communication