Emissions beyond what we usually see

When Earth Hour began in 2007, it was built on a simple act: turning off lights for one hour to remind people of the impact of energy consumption on the planet. Today, as the global environmental movement marks its 20th anniversary, a new question emerges: what if, instead of only switching off wasted energy, we also “switch on” sustainable electricity in production?

After two decades, as the climate crisis becomes increasingly evident, the issue is no longer just how much energy is used, but where that energy comes from and how it is consumed. Amid global volatility in energy and supply chains, dependence on fossil fuels is proving increasingly risky. For Viet Nam, a major global manufacturing and export hub, this is not only an environmental concern but also a matter of competitiveness. Earth Hour 2026, therefore, turns its focus to industrial electrification as a key solution to reduce emissions while strengthening supply chain resilience.

The energy sector contributes 65% of total emissions, while industry consumes more than half of the national energy use (MOIT, 2022). Key export industries such as textiles and wood processing are significant contributors due to their heavy reliance on fossil fuel based thermal processes. This creates a paradox: while household energy-saving efforts are necessary, they address only a small part of the problem. The more complex challenge, and the area with the greatest potential for emissions reduction, lies within industrial systems operating behind the scenes.

Electrification: A scalable climate solution

In this context, industrial electrification is increasingly seen as a critical pathway for businesses to cut emissions and move toward Net Zero. Replacing fossil-fuel-based heating systems with electric technologies such as heat pumps and electric boilers opens opportunities to reduce emissions at the core of production processes.

“WWF’s latest research shows that for light industries such as textiles and wood processing, electrification can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve energy efficiency. Emissions reductions could reach up to 80%, alongside 30 to 50% energy savings in scenarios combined with renewable energy, when using electricity from Viet Nam’s grid. At scale, this is no longer incremental improvement but a systemic opportunity for emissions reduction,” said Pham Thi Cam Nhung, Climate and Energy Programme Manager at WWF Viet Nam.

Converging drivers for transformation

Momentum for this transition is building from multiple directions. At the national level, Viet Nam has committed to achieving Net Zero emissions by 2050 and is gradually increasing the share of renewable energy. At the market level, international brands are demanding greater transparency and emissions reductions across supply chains. These pressures converge at the factory level, where decisions on technology and energy are becoming strategic.

However, electrification is not a simple transition. High upfront investment costs, limitations in power infrastructure, and barriers related to technical capacity and policy support remain significant challenges. Economic feasibility also depends on electricity prices and access to clean energy, requiring careful consideration from businesses before implementation.

In practice, pilot models in Viet Nam demonstrate that industrial electrification is both feasible and already delivering positive results. For example, the Bangjie factory is piloting the country’s first heat pump steam system to replace coal and biomass through a collaboration with H&M Group, WWF and Aii. Meanwhile, rooftop solar at Soi The Ky initially meets around 6% of electricity demand. In the wood sector, companies such as Thang Nam JSC have achieved 17% electricity savings and improved thermal energy efficiency by 40-60% through new technologies (WWF, 2026). These results align with international pilots, showing that Vietnamese businesses can keep pace with low-emission production trends and integrate more deeply into green supply chains, even as supportive policies remain in early stages.

From technical support to actual implementation

Amid these shifts, demand for technical support is becoming increasingly evident. WWF-Viet Nam is promoting electrification through feasibility studies, supporting businesses in assessing and piloting solutions such as heat pumps, and contributing to policy recommendations to address financial and technical barriers.

At the same time, as part of Earth Hour 2026, WWF-Viet Nam is launching a series of social media content from March 25 to 28 to bring the concept of electrification closer to the public and business community.

The role of individuals in systemic change

Twenty years ago, Earth Hour was about raising awareness. Today, that question has evolved into a broader systems challenge: how to transform the way energy is produced and used across the entire economy toward low emissions.

In this context, individual action goes beyond switching off electrical devices for one hour. Choosing products from businesses that use clean energy, supporting policies that accelerate the energy transition, or simply sharing information about solutions like electrification can all help generate demand and positive market pressure.

As demand shifts, production will follow. From this perspective, individuals are not just consumers, but participants in the transition, and potentially catalysts for future business models where clean energy is no longer optional, but foundational.

The next chapter of Earth Hour is not only about turning off what is unnecessary, but also about turning on change in less visible places that can deliver the most significant impact. It is time to mark Earth Hour by collectively “switching on” sustainable climate solutions.