Strengthening the monitoring of environmental protection activities in production and business (Photo: Thanh My)

Increasing scores in all four pillars of the Provincial green index

PGI (Provincial Green Index) is a tool developed by VCCI to assess the level of environmental friendliness in economic development of localities. This index includes 4 main pillars, reflecting the level of pollution reduction and climate change response, compliance with environmental standards, the management role of the government in environmental protection and policies to support environmentally friendly enterprises.

According to the Department of Agriculture and Environment, in 2024, the province's PGI reached 27.56 points, an increase of 4.49 points compared to 2023. All 4 component pillars have improved significantly. In particular, the index of environmental pollution reduction and climate change impact reduction reached 7.5 points, an increase of 0.35 points. This is a testament to the efforts to raise public awareness, apply science and technology in production, waste treatment and programs to plant trees and restore ecosystems.

Along with that, the index of ensuring compliance with minimum environmental standards reached 7.62 points, an increase of 0.6 points. Over the past year, the province has actively inspected and examined the environment, strictly handled violations; at the same time, guided enterprises to comply with environmental laws.

The provincial government's leadership role index in environmental protection was also recorded with an increase of 0.8 points, reaching 4.86 points. Environmental programs and action plans have been issued and implemented synchronously, including Plan No. 3265, dated November 6, 2024 on improving PGI.

In particular, the index of preferential policies and support services for enterprises in environmental protection increased the most, reaching 7.58 points, an increase of 1.74 points compared to 2023. The proactive integration of environmental factors into investment attraction and prioritizing environmentally friendly industries has become leverage for enterprises to transform their production models.

Not only improving in terms of scores, the province's PGI in 2024 also reflects substantial changes from thinking to action, from the proactiveness of the government to the adaptation efforts of enterprises and people.

Despite remarkable achievements, the province's green development journey still has many challenges to overcome. In fact, there are still 3 industrial clusters in the province that have come into operation but have not completed the centralized wastewater treatment system, including: Duc Hoa Ha, Duc Hoa Dong and Hoang Gia Industrial Clusters. This is a bottleneck for the goal of sustainable industrial development.

The problem of treating domestic solid waste is also a challenge. Although the amount of waste generated is increasing, the province still does not have a high-tech treatment plant with enough capacity and has to depend partly on Ho Chi Minh City. Meanwhile, attracting investment in the waste treatment sector is still facing difficulties due to entangled mechanisms and policies.

In addition, most enterprises, especially small and medium enterprises, still do not have a clear direction in technology conversion and applying cleaner production models. The province has not issued specific instructions on the roadmap for applying existing good techniques, leading to difficulties in implementation and accessing preferential policies.

Towards net zero emissions

Farmers collect packaging and pesticide bottles

In 2025, Long An has clearly identified that improving PGI is not only a technical task but also a comprehensive, long-term development strategy. Accordingly, the province has proposed a number of key solutions to both maintain its leading position in the country and gradually realize the commitment to net zero emissions by 2050.

First of all, the province will strengthen propaganda about green development to all classes of people and businesses. Changing awareness is considered the root. Along with that is solutions to thoroughly handle pollution points in industrial clusters, improve wastewater and urban waste treatment capacity. These are two important links in the process of building a circular economy, minimizing negative impacts on the environment.

In particular, the province will soon complete a survey of the current technology status of enterprises and provide a roadmap for converting outdated technology to cleaner technology. At the same time, the province also promotes greenhouse gas inventory and prepares the foundation for participating in the carbon credit market - an inevitable trend in the coming period.

A notable highlight is the orientation of developing Green Industrial Parks associated with modern infrastructure and logistics services. This is not only a pilot model but also a strategic step to attract high-quality FDI capital flows, creating large added value but causing little harm to the environment.

In the agricultural sector, the province continues to replicate organic agricultural production models, circular agriculture, combining the application of science and technology with nature conservation. This is a suitable direction for a land rich in agricultural traditions like Long An.

According to the Acting Head of the Department of Environment and Forestry - Dang Van Hai, in the coming time, the sector will continue to closely coordinate with departments, branches, localities and the business community to synchronously deploy solutions, strengthen propaganda, raise public awareness, thoroughly handle sources of pollution, promote the application of advanced technology in production and waste treatment as well as prepare the foundation for participating in the carbon credit market.

With comprehensive efforts, the province is affirming its role as one of the pioneering localities in the Mekong Delta region in developing a green, circular and sustainable economy. Rising to 6th place nationwide in PGI is an objective recognition of a process of synchronous transformation of thinking, action and policy.

From the achieved foundations and effective coordination between the government, businesses, people and the support of international organizations, Long An is gradually moving closer to the goal of net zero emissions by 2050, contributing to building a greener, cleaner and more sustainable future for the whole region and the whole country./.

Reported by Bui Tung

Translated by NT