INTRODUCTION

Climate change has emerged as the greatest challenge facing humanity in the 21st century, with profound impacts on ecosystems, energy security, and global sustainable development. Recognizing the pivotal role of higher education in generating knowledge and driving action for a green future, the University of Danang (UD) has identified “Climate Action” (SDG 13) as one of the strategic pillars in its sustainable development roadmap.

UD has issued the “Comprehensive Strategy and Commitment to Climate Change Mitigation by 2030, with a Vision to 2045”, positioning climate response as a central focus of the university’s sustainable development orientation. This strategy emphasizes the integration of greenhouse gas reduction measures, the use of renewable energy, and the enhancement of adaptive capacities across all training, research, governance, and community service activities, thereby contributing actively to Vietnam’s Net Zero target by 2050.

13.1. CLIMATE ACTION RESEARCH

The University of Danang continuously promotes research activities in the fields of energy, environment, and sustainable development, contributing to the generation of new knowledge and technologies that support climate action. Indicators such as CiteScore, FWCI, and the number of international publications related to climate topics at UD have steadily increased over the years, reflecting the quality and impact of research conducted across its member institutions.

Several strong research groups have made an international impact, notably the GATEC (Gas and Alternative Technology Research Group) at the University of Science and Technology, with over 11 patents and utility solutions in the fields of Biogas engines, Hydrogen, and green energy, which have been practically applied in the Central and Central Highlands regions. In addition, international scientific conferences such as “Carbon and Materials for Energy and Environment (CMEE 2024)” and “Application of New Technologies in Green Buildings (ATiGB 2024)” have become prestigious academic forums, bringing together hundreds of domestic and international scientists to share research outcomes, emission reduction solutions, and sustainable energy technology development.

The research activities at the UD are oriented towards the practical needs of both local and national contexts, contributing to supporting the green transition and climate change adaptation efforts.

Notable Patents of the University of Danang on the Use of Renewable Fuels

(Sources: Scopus; udn.vn; ute.udn.vn; dongcobiogas.com)

13.2. LOW-CARBON ENERGY UTILIZATION

The UD has implemented numerous measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through the use of renewable energy and the improvement of energy efficiency across its campuses. Notably, the University of Science and Technology-UD has installed three rooftop solar power systems with a total capacity of over 56 kWp, generating an average of 82 MWh of clean electricity per year, meeting 7–8% of the university’s total electricity demand and reducing more than 142 tons of CO₂ since their operation.

The “DUT – Solar BK” system, established in 2017, is among the first solar power projects within the university sector in the Central Vietnam region. It not only contributes to emission reduction but also supports training and research in renewable energy. Additionally, systems sponsored by EPC Solar Vietnam and CRC Solar have been integrated into the curriculum, enabling students to gain hands-on experience with energy management technologies and real-time carbon consumption monitoring.

  Solar Power Systems Installed at the University of Science and Technology-UD

In addition, the University of Technology and Education-UD has also implemented a solar-powered lighting system on its campus, contributing to energy savings and raising community awareness of sustainable development.

These initiatives demonstrate UD’s commitment to integrating clean energy into university infrastructure, supporting the goal of carbon neutrality in accordance with the GHG Protocol.

(Sources: dut.udn.vn; udn.vn; drive.google.com)

13.3. EDUCATION AND CLIMATE ACTION

Education and awareness-raising are a key focus of UD’s climate action strategy. All member universities develop their own Climate Action Plans while integrating climate change and sustainable development content into curricula, research, and extracurricular activities.

Textbooks such as “Biogas Engines” and “Automobiles and Environmental Pollution”, authored by faculty members of the University of Danang, are used in both undergraduate and postgraduate programs.

Annually, UD and its member units organize numerous workshops, forums, and collaborative programs to disseminate knowledge and promote climate action, including:

• The international conference “Application of New Technologies in Green Buildings (ATiGB 2024)”, which brought together over 300 domestic and international scientists, focusing on green technologies in sustainable construction and emission reduction.
• The international conference “Climate Change and Sustainable Development (VSCT 2024)”, organized by the UD-University of Economics in collaboration with AVSE Global and Massey University (New Zealand).
• The conference “Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Development in the Central – Central Highlands Region, 5th Edition”, organized by the University of Education in partnership with GreenViet and the Da Nang Union of Science and Technology Associations.

In addition, the UD collaborates with the Da Nang City People’s Committee in developing urban climate action plans, providing scientific databases and technical consulting for governmental agencies. Numerous research projects conducted by UD have directly supported local authorities in flood management, drainage planning, forest conservation, and wildfire prevention.

These efforts demonstrate that the UD plays a role not only in education and research but also as a strategic academic partner in local climate action.

 (Sources: ude.udn.vn; uet.udn.vn; baodanang.vn; nhandan.vn)

13.4. CARBON NEUTRALITY COMMITMENT

The University of Danang (UD) has identified sustainable development and greenhouse gas emission reduction as long-term strategic priorities for the 2025–2050 period.

In 2024, UD issued the “Carbon Neutrality Commitment by 2030, with Orientation to 2045”, becoming one of the first higher education institutions in Vietnam to formally establish a carbon neutrality target throughout the university system.
This commitment provides a crucial foundation for UD to implement action programs in green growth, renewable energy, green digital governance, and education for sustainable development in the coming years.

By 2025, according to Official Announcement No. 45-TB/TGV dated September 30, 2025 from the Central Steering Committee on Science, Technology, Innovation, and Digital Transformation, the University of Danang has been selected as one of four national key universities to pilot a model for innovative university development linked to digital transformation and sustainable development.

The official announcement requires the selected universities to:

• Promote comprehensive digital transformation in governance, teaching, research, and community service;
• Advance research, innovation, and technology transfer to support green growth, the circular economy, and climate change adaptation;
• Develop high-quality human resources in science, technology, and innovation to serve the nation’s sustainable development goals;
• Serve as models of sustainable university governance, integrating innovation with green development and digital transformation across the Vietnamese higher education system.

Being selected to participate in this key program represents both a recognition of and a continuation of UD’s 2024 Carbon Neutrality Commitment, while also providing a foundation to operationalize the National Green Growth Strategy and Vietnam’s Net Zero emissions target by 2050.

Under this commitment, the UD aims to achieve carbon neutrality in electricity consumption (Scope 2) by 2030 through the installation of at least 2.24 MWp of rooftop solar panels, with an estimated annual generation of 3.4 GWh of clean electricity, accounting for approximately 36% of total electricity consumption across the entire university. At the same time, the university seeks to reduce electricity intensity by 10–15% compared to the 2024 baseline and progressively transition to 100% of internal transportation powered by electricity or hydrogen by 2045.

The implementation is carried out according to a specific roadmap through 2030, under the supervision of the Energy and Climate Transition Committee led by the UD’s leadership. Data on solar power generation, the share of renewable energy, and CO₂ emission reductions are monitored via a centralized energy monitoring system (SCADA), ensuring transparency, quantifiability, and international comparability in sustainability reporting.

This commitment reflects the UD’s strategic vision and determination to promote green energy transition, sustainable development, and the achievement of Net Zero emissions, contributing directly to the national Green Growth Strategy through 2050.

(Source: Decision on the University of Danang’s Carbon Neutrality Commitment by 2030, with Orientation to 2045, 2024.)

CONCLUSION

With a strategic vision and concrete actions, the University of Danang is asserting its pioneering role within Vietnam’s higher education system in climate change response and sustainable development. From scientific research and education to energy management and community engagement, all of UD’s activities are directed toward emission reduction, enhanced adaptation capacity, and the creation of a carbon-neutral society.

Moving forward, UD will continue to expand renewable energy models, improve resource efficiency, promote innovation, and strengthen international collaboration on climate and environmental issues, contributing to the successful achievement of SDG 13 – Climate Action and supporting sustainable development in Da Nang City, the Central and Central Highlands regions and across the nation.