Emission compliance and benchmarking of Vietnam’s energy-intensive industries in the context of the emerging carbon market

This study examines the current technological landscape and emission intensities of three energy-intensive sectors in Vietnam: Thermal Power, Iron and Steel, and Cement. Against the backdrop of Vietnam’s Net Zero commitment and the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), establishing a robust benchmarking system is pivotal for national competitiveness. The study applies an interpolation method using actual output (P) and emissions (E) derived from converted energy consumption data (TOE) to ensure the objectivity of the data. The findings reveal substantial performance disparities among technologies, notably the superior efficiency of Electric Arc Furnaces (EAF) compared to Blast Furnace–Basic Oxygen Furnace (BF-BOF) systems. Additionally, the study introduces a compliance monitoring framework to mitigate fraudulent reporting and outlines a roadmap for advancing circular technologies to safeguard the integrity of Vietnam’s domestic carbon market.