13.4. CARBON NEUTRALITY COMMITMENT

The University of Danang (UD) identifies sustainable development and greenhouse gas emission reduction as important directions in its long-term development strategy. In 2024, UD issued the “Commitment to Carbon Neutrality by 2030 and Strategic Orientation for 2045,” providing a foundation for implementing solutions to improve energy efficiency, develop renewable energy, and reduce emissions throughout the entire university system.

This commitment is consistent with Vietnam’s strategic direction on green growth and climate change response, particularly the National Green Growth Strategy for the 2021–2030 Period, with a Vision to 2050, issued under Decision No. 1658/QD-TTg dated October 1, 2021, and the National Climate Change Strategy to 2050, issued under Decision No. 896/QD-TTg dated July 26, 2022. These strategies promote greenhouse gas emission reductions, economical and efficient energy use, renewable energy development, and the transition to a low-emission economic model.

In addition, according to Notice No. 45-TB/TGV dated September 30, 2025, UD was selected as one of four universities to receive focused investment aimed at developing a model university representative of Vietnam’s higher education system. This strategic direction provides a more favorable context for UD to promote modern university governance, digital transformation, research, and innovation in alignment with sustainable development goals.

Under its issued commitment, the University of Danang (UD) aims to achieve carbon neutrality for emissions from electricity consumption (Scope 2) by 2030 by setting a target of installing at least 2.24 MWp of rooftop solar power capacity, generating approximately 3.4 GWh of clean electricity annually, and reducing electricity consumption intensity by 10–15% compared with the 2024 baseline. UD also aims to transition its internal transport vehicles to electric or hydrogen-powered vehicles by 2045.

In 2025, UD’s member universities continued to implement renewable energy solutions. The University of Science and Technology – The University of Danang operated three rooftop solar power systems with a total capacity of more than 56 kWp, generating approximately 68 MWh of electricity during the year. The University of Economics – The University of Danang implemented three solar-powered lighting systems, with estimated electricity generation of 6.0 MWh. The University of Technology and Education – The University of Danang put three solar-powered light units into operation in September 2025, with estimated equivalent electricity generation of 1.7 MWh by the end of the year. The total electricity generation reported or estimated from these systems reached approximately 75.7 MWh in 2025.

By combining long-term commitments with solutions implemented at its educational institutions, UD is gradually aligning university operations with the national goals of green growth and greenhouse gas emission reduction. Solar energy systems also provide students with opportunities to gain practical exposure to renewable energy technologies, energy management, and efficient electricity use, thereby connecting operational activities, education, and research in support of sustainable development.

Supporting Evidence Sources

1. The University of Danang, Report on the Implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 13 – Climate Action in 2024: https://www.udn.vn/english/Sustainable-Development-Goals/report-on-the-implementation-of-sustainable-development-goal-13-climate-change-at-the-university-of-danang-in-2024
2. Prime Minister of Vietnam, Decision No. 1658/QD-TTg dated October 1, 2021, approving the National Green Growth Strategy: https://vanban.chinhphu.vn/?docid=204226&pageid=27160
3. Prime Minister of Vietnam, Decision No. 896/QD-TTg dated July 26, 2022, approving the National Climate Change Strategy to 2050: https://vanban.chinhphu.vn/?docid=206254&pageid=27160
4. The University of Danang, information on its selection as one of four universities to receive focused investment: https://www.udn.vn/bankhcnmt/bai-viet/dai-hoc-da-nang-hop-ban-chi-dao-to-tu-van-va-to-giup-viec-xay-dung-de-an-phat-trien-thanh-dai-hoc-dang-cap-quoc-te-theo-ket-luan-so-45?utm_source=chatgpt.com
5. The University of Danang, information on the handover of the solar power system to the University of Science and Technology – The University of Danang: https://www.udn.vn/tin-tuc/tin-tuc-khac/chi-tiet/truong-dai-hoc-bach-khoa-dhdn-tiep-nhan-ban-giao-tai-tro-he-thong-dien-nang-luong-mat-troi-tu-cong-ty-epc-solar
6. The University of Danang issues a commitment to Carbon Neutrality by 2030 and orientation to 2045: https://www.udn.vn/english/Sustainable-Development-Goals/the-university-of-danang-issues-a-commitment-to-carbon-neutrality-by-2030-and-orientation-to-2045