Environmental protection: No "paying the price later" - The National Assembly calls for a shift from passive to proactive approach

This message was underscored at the thematic supervision session held on the morning of October 28 during the 10th sitting of the 15th National Assembly. Presenting the report on the results of the supervision titled “Implementation of policies and laws on environmental protection since the Law on Environmental Protection 2020 came into effect” before the National Assembly, Secretary-General of the National Assembly and Chairman of the Office of the National Assembly Le Quang Manh affirmed: “The promulgation and implementation of policies and laws on environmental protection since the Law on Environmental Protection 2020 took effect have produced many positive and significant results, contributing to sustainable development and improving the quality of people’s lives.”

The Law on Environmental Protection 2020 not only stops at the criterion of “sufficient regulation” but, for the first time, recognizes the environment as one of the three pillars of the national development model. More than 500 guiding documents have been promulgated, creating a consistent legal framework from the central to the local level.

The supervision results recorded that the forest coverage rate has exceeded the target set for 2025; over 97% of urban domestic solid waste has been collected, and the rate of landfilling has gradually decreased. Many “green” projects are now strictly controlled right from the pre-assessment stage. These figures reflect the effort to shift from a passive model to a proactive approach in pollution control.

Alongside these achievements, the supervision delegation frankly pointed out a number of existing shortcomings and limitations that must be promptly addressed. “Environmental pollution remains complex and, at times, severe - particularly air pollution in major cities. There have been periods when Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh City ranked among the most polluted cities in the world,” stated Mr. Le Quang Manh.

Several river basins, such as the Cau and Nhue – Day rivers, remain polluted by domestic and industrial wastewater. Notably, 38 facilities causing serious pollution have yet to be thoroughly remediated, although the Resolution of the 13th National Party Congress set the target of 100% remediation by 2025.

Moreover, the technical infrastructure for wastewater collection and treatment remains inadequate. Nationwide, only 18% of total urban wastewater is collected and treated, while the landfill rate for solid waste remains high. Many policies on waste segregation at source, recycling, and reuse have been slow to implement due to a lack of consistency in infrastructure and supporting mechanisms.

According to the report, one of the causes stems from the prevailing mindset in some localities and enterprises that still “prioritizes economic growth over environmental protection.” In addition, certain legal policies remain inconsistent and insufficiently robust to impose accountability and encourage socialized investment in this field.

According to the Secretary-General of the National Assembly, the root cause does not merely lie in technical or financial limitations, but rather in awareness: “In some localities, there still exists a mindset of prioritizing investment attraction and short-term economic growth, regarding environmental protection as an additional cost.”

This is a principle repeatedly emphasized by the Supervisory Delegation. The Law on Environmental Protection 2020not only aims to reduce pollution but also to restructure the growth model, shifting toward a circular economy, a carbon market, and green production.

Mr. Le Quang Manh proposed that several provisions of the Law be amended in 2025–2026 to “unlock resources” while still ensuring that “the overarching principle is not to trade the environment for mere economic development and to respect the laws of nature.”

Experts believe that the next phase of the Law on Environmental Protection must go beyond documents and reports to be internalized in behavior: Businesses must regard environmental protection as a competitive advantage, not a cost; local authorities must bear direct responsibility to citizens when pollution occurs; and people must become agents of supervision, not merely those affected. A modern economy should not be measured solely by growth rates but by the health of its ecosystems and the health of its people.

The message conveyed by the National Assembly to the whole society is crystal clear: the environment is the foundation of sustainable development. Every decision, every project, and every action - whether by the Government, enterprises, or citizens - must aim to preserve a clean and livable environment for today’s and future generations.

Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Le Minh Hoan once affirmed during a discussion session: “If natural resources are considered capital, then protecting the environment is the wisest way to manage that capital for long-term growth. Losing the environment means losing the foundation of development”.

After four years of implementation, the Law on Environmental Protection 2020 has demonstrated the soundness of the policy linking economic growth, social welfare, and environmental protection in a unified framework. However, for the law to truly take root in daily life, it requires the concerted efforts of the entire political system, the close supervision of the National Assembly, and, above all, the self-awareness and responsibility of every citizen. Not trading the environment for mere economic growth - that must not only remain a principle, but become a shared commitment to action for the whole society on the path toward sustainable development.