Inter sectoral cooperation on Montreal protocol

Inter-sectoral cooperation on the Montreal Protocol is gaining momentum in Vietnam. The Department of Climate Change signed three cooperation agreements with various government agencies to implement the Montreal Protocol (SMS-MP Project). These agreements involve the Customs Department, the Department of Vocational Education and Continuing Education, the Department of Vietnam Railway, and the Vietnam Railway Transport JSC.

The primary goal of the project is to manage controlled substances like hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and support Vietnam in fulfilling its obligations under the protocol. The coordination between specialized management agencies and transport operators will facilitate the testing and evaluation of technology transition solutions in real operating conditions, which will help determine their applicability and gradual adoption in the railway sector.

Director Nguyen Tuan Quang emphasized that the project is not just about refrigerant management but also involves import and export control, technical capacity building, training systems, technology transfer, and business participation. Through these cooperation agreements, the departments will exchange information, enhance the capacity and equipment of customs forces, strengthen vocational education, and test the use of low-global-warming-potential refrigerants in railway carriage air conditioning systems.