ICEGJ 2026 | Conference Home

Full Abstract

Vietnam's Energy Transition: Capacity Building for a Sustainable and Net-Zero Future

Vietnam is undergoing a rapid energy transition driven by strong economic growth, increasing electricity demand, and its commitment to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. While significant progress has been made in renewable energy deployment and power system modernization, the transition is increasingly constrained by gaps in institutional capacity and workforce readiness rather than technology alone. This talk provides an overview of Vietnam's energy transition and presents capacity needs covering government agencies, local authorities, industry, and higher education institutions, identifying major challenges in energy governance, climate finance, electricity market development, project implementation, and professional training. Economic and financial capacity is highlighted as the most critical cross-sectoral gap affecting the sustainable implementation of the energy transition. Particular attention is given to universities' role in developing the future energy workforce. Although higher education institutions in Vietnam have established strong foundations in engineering education, existing curricula remain largely discipline-based and are not yet fully aligned with emerging industry needs in renewable energy integration, energy storage, smart grids, digitalization, electricity markets, and climate finance. Strengthening university - industry collaboration, adopting competency-based curricula, expanding the use of digital simulation platforms, and promoting international cooperation are essential to preparing graduates with interdisciplinary skills for the evolving energy sector. The talk concludes that human capital development should become a strategic pillar of Vietnam's energy transition. Universities, together with government and industry, will play a pivotal role in building the skilled workforce and institutional capacity required to achieve a secure, resilient, and sustainable low-carbon energy system.

Full Abstract

Building Resilience, Building Careers: Nature-Based Solutions as a Frontier for Green Jobs in Urban Water Management

Urban areas worldwide face intensifying flood risk driven by rapid urbanization, climate change, and the loss of natural hydrological buffers. Conventional grey infrastructure — pipes, channels, barriers — has historically absorbed most of the investments and employment in this space, yet it addresses only part of the challenge and offers a narrowing set of career pathways as construction-heavy approaches reach their limits. Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) — including constructed wetlands, bioswales, green roofs, permeable surfaces, and urban forest corridors — present an alternative that reduces flood peaks and strengthens climate resilience while simultaneously opening a broader and more distributed green jobs landscape. This keynote examines the water-resilience sector as a case study in green employment transformation: how the design, construction, ecological monitoring, and long-term stewardship of NBS create demand for hybrid skill sets spanning civil and environmental engineering, landscape ecology, data-driven asset management, and community-based green maintenance work. Drawing on not only European but also global case studies alongside emerging practice, the talk explores what these employment patterns suggest for higher education curricula, cross-sector skills frameworks, and university–industry partnerships — themes directly relevant to strengthening ASEAN–EU cooperation on green skills. The presentation closes by considering how urban water resilience can serve as a tangible, replicable model for aligning climate adaptation with inclusive, future-ready green job creation.

Full Abstract

From Green Skills to Green Impact: Transforming Education through Industry-Responsive Micro-Credentials and Competency Ecosystems

The accelerating green transition is exposing a critical mismatch: economies are creating sustainability commitments faster than education and training systems are producing work-ready green competencies. This keynote argues that green jobs cannot be developed through isolated “green” courses alone. They require an integrated competency ecosystem linking universities, vocational and professional education, industry, government and communities. Drawing on the ASEAN–European experience of the ERASMUS+ TUNE project, the keynote presents a practical pathway for translating sustainability ambitions into measurable learner capabilities. At its centre is a demand-led framework that aligns industry-defined occupational needs with stackable micro-credentials, educator Training-of-Trainers, authentic assessment and living-laboratory learning. The proposed modules combine foundational green-economy literacy with circular economy, climate resilience, ESG, resource efficiency, planetary health, digital and data literacy, and the responsible use of artificial intelligence. Students and educators progress from knowing sustainability concepts to diagnosing real problems, co-designing solutions, interpreting evidence and demonstrating workplace-ready performance. The keynote further proposes a “Green Competency Passport”: a portable, verifiable portfolio that records micro-credentials, project evidence, peer and expert assessment, and contributions to campus, community and industrial challenges. This model enables institutions to measure individual impact while allowing employers to recognise capabilities beyond conventional qualifications. The central message is clear: micro-credentials become transformative only when they are quality-assured, co-created with industry, accessible to diverse learners and embedded within continuous capacity building. By connecting curriculum innovation with real sustainability demand, higher education can move from producing graduates who understand the green transition to developing professionals who can lead it—supporting a just, inclusive and future-ready workforce across ASEAN and beyond.

Full Abstract

Life-Cycle Engineering and Green Jobs: Transforming Infrastructure Inspection and Maintenance for a Net-Zero Future

The transition towards a net-zero future is reshaping the civil engineering profession by creating new opportunities for green jobs that extend beyond the conventional focus on the design and construction of infrastructure. Inspection, repair, and maintenance (IRM) have emerged as key components of sustainable infrastructure management, enabling the extension of service life, reduction of embodied carbon, minimisation of construction waste, and optimisation of resource utilisation. From a life-cycle engineering perspective, preserving and rehabilitating existing infrastructure often provides greater environmental and economic benefits than premature replacement, making IRM an integral strategy for achieving net-zero objectives. Life-cycle engineering integrates durability assessment, structural reliability, condition monitoring, and risk-informed decision-making to optimise infrastructure performance throughout its service life. The increasing adoption of digital technologies, including artificial intelligence, digital twins, structural health monitoring, robotics, and data-driven asset management, is transforming conventional maintenance practices into predictive and intelligent asset management systems. These developments are redefining the competencies required of future civil engineers and expanding career opportunities in sustainable infrastructure management. Experiences from infrastructure operating in aggressive environments demonstrate how life-cycle engineering supports informed maintenance planning, enhances infrastructure resilience, and contributes to long-term sustainability. The growing demand for professionals with expertise in infrastructure inspection, repair, maintenance, and digital asset management reflects a significant shift in the civil engineering workforce. Developing these competencies will be essential for supporting the transition towards a resilient, resource-efficient, and net-zero built environment.

Full Abstract

Green Ammonia Combustion: Technology Development and Demonstration Strategy in Korea

Amid the global transition toward carbon neutrality, ammonia (NH₃) is emerging as a key carbon-free fuel and hydrogen carrier for decarbonizing coal- and LNG-fired power generation. This presentation reviews the development and demonstration strategy of green ammonia co-firing technology in Korea, centered on the research achievements of the Pusan Clean Energy Research Institute (PCERI) at Pusan National University. The talk first examines Korea’s energy transition policy under the 11th Basic Plan for Electricity Supply and Demand (March 2025). Coal and LNG generation are scheduled for a gradual phase-down, while the share of carbon-free (NH₃/H₂) power generation is projected to grow from 2.4% (15.5 TWh) in 2030 to 6.2% (43.9 TWh) in 2038. We then present the structure of the KETEP-funded “USC Boiler Ammonia Co-firing Power Generation Technology Development and Demonstration Project” (Apr 2023–Dec 2027; approximately USD 41.3 million; an alliance of 25 organizations and over 300 researchers), along with the pulverized-coal (PC) and circulating-fluidized-bed (CFB) boiler demonstration sites. Building on this, we discuss low-NOx / N₂O optimization technologies validated across laboratory, pilot, and demonstration scales using combustion experiments and CFD, as well as ammonia cracking for hydrogen production. The scope extends beyond power generation to marine decarbonization, including carbon-free NH₃/H₂ marine boilers and onboard ammonia crackers aligned with IMO greenhouse-gas reduction targets. Finally, we introduce international collaborative research with Australia (UoN, Monash), Japan (Osaka), Vietnam (HUST), and China, and discuss the commercialization potential and global market-expansion strategy for green ammonia combustion technology.

Full Abstract

From Forests to Green Jobs: Transforming Sustainable Forestry through Green Skills, Innovation, and Collaboration toward a Net-Zero Future

From Forests to Green Jobs: Transforming Sustainable Forestry through Green Skills, Innovation, and Collaboration toward a Net-Zero Future Climate change, environmental degradation, and the global transition toward a green economy have made green jobs a central pillar of sustainable development. The forestry sector plays a strategic role in this transition, not only as a provider of ecosystem services, carbon sequestration, and biodiversity conservation, but also as a catalyst for decent employment, community empowerment, and sustainable economic growth. Achieving a successful green transition, however, requires more than sustainable forest management. It demands investment in green skills, digital transformation, research and innovation, and strong collaboration among governments, industries, academia, and local communities. This paper presents Perum Perhutani, Indonesia's state-owned forestry enterprise, as a case study demonstrating how sustainable forestry can become a platform for creating green jobs through research and innovation, advanced forestry technologies, workforce capacity building, community engagement, and sustainable forest-based businesses. These initiatives support Indonesia's FOLU Net Sink 2030 agenda while contributing to the broader goal of achieving Net Zero Emissions. The experience highlights that sustainable forestry can simultaneously generate environmental, economic, and social value, strengthening climate resilience and promoting inclusive development. The presentation proposes a strategic framework—"Green Forests – Green Skills – Green Jobs – Green Business"—to illustrate how sustainable forest management can drive workforce transformation, stimulate innovation, and create long-term green economic opportunities. This framework is expected to serve as a collaborative model for governments, industry, academia, and communities in accelerating the transition toward a resilient, inclusive, and net-zero future across ASEAN and beyond.

Keywords: Green Jobs, Sustainable Forestry, Green Skills, Perum Perhutani

Full Abstract

From Policy to Practice: Transforming Malaysia’s Climate Commitments into Green Job Opportunities

From Policy to Practice: Transforming Malaysia’s Climate Commitments into Green Job Opportunities As nations accelerate their transition toward a green, low carbon, and climate resilient economy; government policies, strategic public investments, and dedicated green initiatives serve as catalysts for job creation and labour market transformation. This presentation examines the direct link between overarching national blueprints, including 12th and 13th Malaysia Plan, renewable energy expansion goals, energy efficiency mandates, circular economy models, and climate sustainability frameworks and the emergence of high skilled green employment opportunities across diverse economic sectors. By analysing key policy mechanisms, green fiscal incentives, funding programs, and strategic taxonomy guidelines such as Malaysia's Green Jobs Guideline, this paper explores how regulatory instruments, public-private partnerships, and market drivers systematically stimulate demand for specialized technical and managerial skill sets. Special emphasis is placed on understanding the operational definitions and classification tiers of green occupations, ranging from core environmental positions to hybrid roles and enabling functions necessary for systemic decarbonization. Ultimately, attendees will gain insights into how progressive regulatory frameworks actively shape labour market dynamics from foundational and technical competencies required to meet the demands of the emerging green economy, and how effective institutional collaboration between government agencies, industry stakeholders, and education providers can successfully bridge the gap between national sustainability objectives and workforce readiness.

Keywords: Green Jobs, Policy, Malaysia, Climate Change, Sustainability, Labour Market

Full Abstract

How Forest Carbon Credits Work with Vietnam Carbon Market

The Vietnam Law on Environmental Protection 2020 establishes the key legal framework for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and developing Vietnam carbon market (V-ETS) as an important mechanism for achieving the country’s climate targets. Vietnam has also demonstrated a strong commitment to addressing climate change by setting the objective of achieving net-zero GHG emissions by 2050. To implement the Law and achieve the national emissions reduction targets, a number of policies and regulations have been promulgated. These include provisions governing GHG emissions caps for major emitters, carbon credit trading within the V-ETS, and participation in international carbon markets. The forestry sector plays a significant role in the country’s sustainable development, particularly through reducing GHG emissions and enhancing carbon removals. In this context, the promulgation of the Vietnam National Forest Carbon Standard (TCVN) represents an important development. The standard provides a common benchmark for the design and implementation of carbon projects in the forestry and land-use sectors and supports the quantification, verification, and issuance of forest carbon credits for trading within the V-ETS.

Keywords: Green Jobs, Policy, Vietnam, Climate Change, Forestry, Carbon Market, Environmental Law

Full Abstract

Centre of Excellence for Green TVET: A Scalable Model

The transition to a green economy requires TVET systems to do more than develop green skills and qualifications. They also need the institutional capacity to drive and share green transformation. This presentation explores how the Centre of Excellence (CoE) model for Green TVET has developed in Viet Nam, drawing on the experience of the College of Machinery and Irrigation (VCMI) and the model’s subsequent expansion into a network of CoEs.

The presentation introduces four complementary functions of a CoE: delivering quality training for green skills and jobs; demonstrating sustainable institutional operations; engaging the private sector; and supporting the wider TVET system through networking, knowledge sharing and assistance to other institutions. It traces VCMI’s journey from the model’s conceptualisation and institutional investment in 2014 to its assumption of broader system-development functions from 2018. Building on this experience, the scaling approach supported by Vietnamese-German development cooperation established four specialized CoEs, while 11 colleges implemented Greening TVET Action Plans and wider mechanisms for advancing green and digital TVET were introduced.

The presentation concludes with recommendations for scaling up and institutionalizing the CoE model, including enabling policies, clear institutional criteria, capacity development, partnerships, networking and systematic knowledge transfer. Viet Nam’s experience shows how CoEs can serve not only as exemplary institutions, but also as hubs for accelerating Green TVET transformation across the system.

Keywords: greening TVET; green skills; green transformation; Center of Excellence for Green TVET

Full Abstract

The Plastic Cup in the Sustainability Classroom: Closing the intention–behaviour gap in education for green jobs and future skills

Sustainability courses promise a lot: competence frameworks, SDG grids, long lists of what others should change. Yet the institutions that teach them often serve coffee in single-use cups, and online modules award badges for “sustainable behaviour” to anyone who can pass a multiple-choice quiz. This talk asks an uncomfortable but practical question: what do learners take away from the gap between what we teach and what we do?

Starting from the intention–behaviour gap, I argue that three things work against the green skills we want to build: theory-heavy course design, assessment that rewards reproduction, and the neglected “hidden curriculum” of an institution’s own operations. Two critical cases illustrate the problem: the disposable cup at a sustainability event, and well-meant advice that ignores the conditions people live in, using single-use sachets in Southeast Asia as an example. Such advice, I suggest, exposes a gap in conditions, not in character.

The second half turns to good practice: hands-on tasks from my own teaching, such as measuring, changing and re-measuring an ecological footprint, and examples where institutions and communities build the missing conditions themselves. I discuss why experiences that carry emotion and a story are remembered longer than slogans, and I am candid about the limits: the evidence for better retention is strong, while for lasting behaviour change it remains thin.

The talk closes with five questions that trainers, teachers and institutions can ask about their own practice.

Keywords: Sustainability Classroom; green skills; SDG; future skills

Full Abstract

Green Skills in Action: Engineering a More Sustainable Future

Buildings and industry account for a significant share of global energy use, much of which is associated with ventilation and cooling. Improving the efficiency of these systems is an important way to reduce energy consumption and emissions while creating opportunities for engineers and technicians in the green economy.

This presentation explores green jobs and green skills through a practical example: the NOVENCO ZerAx axial fan. Combining high energy efficiency with recyclability, the fan achieves efficiencies of up to 92%, has a service life of more than 20 years, and is 98% recyclable, according to an independent Design for Recycling analysis. This example demonstrates how sustainable outcomes depend on early design decisions and a whole system approach rather than focusing on individual components alone.

The presentation highlights four key skills that students and young professionals can develop: designing products for recyclability, improving energy efficiency across entire systems, measuring and documenting performance through certification and environmental data, and upgrading existing buildings, including airport ventilation systems, to reduce energy consumption and material use.

Drawing on nearly ten years of experience in cooling and ventilation across Southeast Asia and other regions, the speaker will share insights into employer expectations and explain how these skills support the region’s net-zero ambitions. Attendees will gain a practical understanding of green career opportunities in ventilation and guidance on how to begin developing the skills needed to contribute to a more sustainable built environment.

Keywords: Sustainability; Green skills; Fan; Efficiency

Full Abstract

Scaling Refrigerant Lifecycle Management and Circular Economy in Viet Nam: Lessons from Japan and the Role of Carbon Markets

Japan has established a comprehensive refrigerant lifecycle management (LRM) system under the Act on Rational Use and Proper Management of Fluorocarbons. This system has fostered a significant industrial ecosystem consisting of approximately 52,000 refrigerant recovery businesses, 35 reclamation facilities, and 56 destruction facilities. Together, these stakeholders support the collection, reclamation, recycling, and destruction of fluorocarbons, demonstrating that refrigerant management can function as both an effective climate mitigation measure and a sustainable business sector.

Building on Japan’s experience, the Ministry of the Environment of Japan and the Department of Climate Change of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment of Viet Nam have cooperated to implement Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM) model projects for fluorocarbon management. These projects have provided financial and technical support for the introduction of dedicated fluorocarbon destruction facilities and related management systems, helping Viet Nam strengthen its capacity to reduce emissions from high-global-warming-potential refrigerants.

Looking ahead, the expansion and long-term sustainability of these initiatives will require stronger market-based incentives. Carbon credit mechanisms can play a key role in mobilizing investment, improving project viability, and scaling up refrigerant recovery and destruction activities nationwide.

At the same time, Viet Nam has begun promoting refrigerant reclamation and reuse. Together with destruction activities, reclamation can contribute to the development of a circular economy by reducing dependence on virgin refrigerants while creating additional economic value. This presentation will discuss how carbon markets and refrigerant reclamation can support the transition toward a sustainable and circular refrigerant management system in Viet Nam.

Keywords: Refrigerants; Lifecycle; Circular Economy; Vietnam

Full Abstract

Greening Technical and Vocational Education and Training for the Green Transition: An Integrated Multi-level Framework

The green transformation is reshaping labour markets and increasing the demand for workers equipped with green skills. This places Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) at the centre of sustainable workforce development. While existing international frameworks provide valuable guidance for institutional greening, they largely focus on either institutional transformation or sustainability assessment and do not explicitly explain how broader system-level conditions enable institutional change. The authors propose an integrated multi-level conceptual framework for greening TVET that synthesises international literature and leading frameworks, including the UNESCO-UNEVOC Greening TVET framework and the UI GreenMetric assessment framework. The proposed framework views greening TVET as a coordinated process linking external drivers of the green transition, system-level enabling conditions, institution-level transformation, workforce outcomes, and continuous feedback. Practical evidence from Vietnam illustrates how implementation experience informed the framework's refinement, particularly the explicit recognition of “greening the governance” and “greening the teaching and learning” as institutional dimensions. The paper contributes a more comprehensive conceptual model for understanding, planning, implementing, and evaluating Greening TVET and offers a useful reference for policymakers, TVET authorities, and institutional leaders seeking to support sustainable and inclusive workforce development.

Keywords: Greening TVET; Green Skills; Green Transformation; Institutional Transformation; Green Governance; Conceptual Framework

ICEGJ Introduction

Conference Venue

Leadership & Secretariat

Conference Chairperson

Secretariat

Keynote Speakers

Prof. Nikolaos Theodossiou

Building Resilience, Building Careers: Nature-Based Solutions as a Frontier for Green Jobs in Urban Water Management

Dr. Chorirotun Nur Ulifah

Life-Cycle Engineering and Green Jobs: Transforming Infrastructure Inspection and Maintenance for a Net-Zero Future

Prof. Ir. Ts. Dr. Mohd Fadhil bin Md Din

From Green Skills to Green Impact: Transforming Education through Industry-Responsive Micro-Credentials and Competency Ecosystems

Assoc.Prof Nguyen Duc Tuyen

Vietnam's Energy Transition: Capacity Building for a Sustainable and Net-Zero Future

Invited Speakers

R. Prof. Byoung-Hwa Lee

Green Ammonia Combustion: Technology Development and Demonstration Strategy in Korea

Prof. Norhazilan Md Noor

Life-Cycle Engineering and Green Jobs: Transforming Infrastructure Inspection and Maintenance for a Net-Zero Future

Ms. Tran Thuy Tien

Market Overview: From Global Momentum to Local Impact in Vietnam

Dr. Sabihah Saleh

From Policy to Practice: Transforming Malaysia’s Climate Commitments into Green Job Opportunities

Dr. Vu Tan Phuong

How Forest Carbon Credits Work with Vietnam Carbon Market

Ms. Beate Dippmar

Centre of Excellence for Green TVET: A Scalable Model

Dr. Harald A. Friedl

The Plastic Cup in the Sustainability Classroom: Closing the intention–behaviour gap in education for green jobs and future skills

Mr. Ishaan Sharma

Green Skills in Action: Engineering a More Sustainable Future

Mr. Kato Makoto

Scaling Refrigerant Lifecycle Management and Circular Economy in Viet Nam: Lessons from Japan and the Role of Carbon Markets

Ms. Pham Viet Ha

Greening Technical and Vocational Education and Training for the Green Transition: An Integrated Multi-level Framework

Committees

Organizing Committee

Scientific Advisory Committee

Conference Proceedings

Journal Publications

Contact & Enquiries

Organizers & Sponsors

Vietnam's Energy Transition: Capacity Building for a Sustainable and Net-Zero Future

Building Resilience, Building Careers: Nature-Based Solutions as a Frontier for Green Jobs in Urban Water Management

From Green Skills to Green Impact: Transforming Education through Industry-Responsive Micro-Credentials and Competency Ecosystems

Life-Cycle Engineering and Green Jobs: Transforming Infrastructure Inspection and Maintenance for a Net-Zero Future

Green Ammonia Combustion: Technology Development and Demonstration Strategy in Korea

From Forests to Green Jobs: Transforming Sustainable Forestry through Green Skills, Innovation, and Collaboration toward a Net-Zero Future

From Policy to Practice: Transforming Malaysia’s Climate Commitments into Green Job Opportunities

How Forest Carbon Credits Work with Vietnam Carbon Market

Centre of Excellence for Green TVET: A Scalable Model

The Plastic Cup in the Sustainability Classroom: Closing the intention–behaviour gap in education for green jobs and future skills

Green Skills in Action: Engineering a More Sustainable Future

Scaling Refrigerant Lifecycle Management and Circular Economy in Viet Nam: Lessons from Japan and the Role of Carbon Markets

Greening Technical and Vocational Education and Training for the Green Transition: An Integrated Multi-level Framework