Making the Gains of Mekong Cooperation Visible
Mekong cooperation is limited because the benefits of joint action are not clearly quantified or integrated into national decision-making. A ‘cooperation dividend’ approach would measure the economic gains and losses of cooperative versus non-cooperative pathways, including their distribution across countries and sectors. This evidence could guide investment, improve negotiations and support coordinated management of water, infrastructure and ecosystems. Strengthening shared metrics would align national incentives with basin-wide outcomes and deepen regional cooperation.
Energy Shocks and Energy Security: Lessons for Vietnam
Vietnam is not simply adopting a textbook ETS. Instead, it is building a: “state-embedded carbon market”, combining market incentives with strong institutional control.
Policy insight: Vietnam Carbon Market Development
Recent geopolitical tensions, particularly in the Middle East, are once again exposing the vulnerability of global energy systems. For Vietnam—an increasingly energy-importing economy—these developments highlight a deeper issue: energy security is no longer just about ensuring supply, but about managing exposure to volatility.
Beyond Hanoi: Vietnam’s Air Pollution Needs a National Fix
Key Insights
· Up to 65% of Hanoi’s air pollution comes from outside the city.
· Current urban measures are necessary but insufficient on their own.
· Agriculture and informal recycling are major, under-regulated sources.
· Vietnam’s carbon market (2025–2029) is a critical policy lever.
· A coordinated national strategy is essential for lasting impact.