The latest official figures from the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) could provide insight into how energy saving aspirations across the UK have affected power consumption. In its second quarter 2010 report, DECC notes a 24 per cent fall in primary electricity consumption across the country.

Along with urban growth, the demand for use of energy in urban areas has increased rapidly, especially in big cities such as Hanoi, Hai Phong, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang and Nha Trang. In such circumstances, using solar energy is considered to be a solution that will help reduce energy consumption in urban areas and prevent climate change. This solution was discussed at a workshop themed 'Climate change and sustainable urban development in Vietnam' that was held recently in Hanoi.

Should 1kWh of electricity be saved, we would reduce the amount of carbon dioxide emission into the environment by 0.5634 kg, helping mitigate climate change. So saving power should be one of the priorities to adapt to climate change.

The strategic objectives of the Program (issued under Decision 158/2008/QD-TTg by the Prime Minister) is to assess the extent of the impact of climate change on different areas, sectors and localities under each period, in order to build feasible action plans to successfully cope with climate change both for long term and short term.

With the theme: “Energy and climate change”, at the AMEM 28, representatives of 10 ASEAN countries, Deputy secretary of ASEAN and 8 partner countries including China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Russia and the US acknowledged the results of 2009-2010 activities.

With the theme “Energy and Climate Change”, the 28th ASEAN Ministers of Energy Meeting (AMEM 28) has reflected the determination and spirit of ASEAN members in 2010 and years to come.

Using clean energy is a weapon in the fight against climate change. Ho Chi Minh City is considered to have a rich solar resource which has not yet been exploited and used wisely. Recently, although Ho Chi Minh City Hi-Tech Area and 23-9 Park has installed 32 lamp posts using solar power, it is still too small in comparison with actual demand. Is it due to the lack of funding or a hesitation to invest?

Various bodies in construction have set up energy saving systems in buildings under the Research and Cooperation Program in accordance with protocols with other countries, for instance, cooperation with Bulgaria and Russia in saving energy in buildings; cooperation with Germany in saving energy in construction and reducing consequences of climate change.