Vietnam’s Truck Emissions: A 6 Million Ton CO2 Problem

“Taking my child to school this morning, the traffic was jammed, and the air was thick with exhaust fumes. I heard that CO2 emissions in Vietnam have skyrocketed this year, I wonder if that’s why?” – Mrs. Hoa, a parent, shared her concerns while waiting for her child to finish school.

Mrs. Hoa’s story is all too familiar to anyone living in Vietnam’s major cities. So, what is the truth behind the figure of “6 million tons of CO2 emissions”? Is there a way to “reduce” the burden of environmental pollution from our own trucks?

6 Million Tons of CO2 – What Does This Number Tell Us?

Decoding the Meaning Behind the Number

6 million tons of CO2 may sound like a dry statistic, but behind it lies a complex story about the environment, the economy, and human health.

• Environmental Perspective: This massive amount of emissions significantly contributes to the greenhouse effect and climate change – a global “nightmare.”
• Economic Perspective: CO2 emission-induced pollution costs Vietnam billions of dollars annually, impacting everything from agricultural production to public health.
• Health Perspective: Breathing polluted air increases the risk of respiratory illnesses, cardiovascular diseases, and even cancer.

Truck on the road

Expert Insights on the Issue

“Vietnam is in a period of industrialization, and the increasing demand for transportation has led to a rapid increase in the number of vehicles, especially trucks. This is one of the main reasons for the rise in CO2 emissions.” – said Mr. David Nguyen, an environmental expert at the Global Climate Research Institute.