Abstract

Carbon neutrality represents the state in which an entity has an amount of CO₂ emitted equal to the amount of CO₂ absorbed in CO₂ sinks. The study was conducted in Mo Cay Nam district, Ben Tre province to assess the carbon neutralization potential of plants (Pc) through the offset between the amount of CO₂ absorbed by plants (MCa) and the amount of CO₂ emitted (MCe). In this study, the MCa calculation method was used through the CO₂ absorption coefficient of each tree type, combined with information collection (tree variety, tree age). The baseline CO₂ emissions (MCe) were inventoried according to the greenhouse gas emission factors of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and IPCC guidelines. The results showed that the Pc of the whole district was at a very high level (853,272 tons of CO₂/year); the Pc in each commune had a large difference, the area with a poor Pc (-4,426 tons of CO₂/year) accounted for 2% of the total area of ​​the district in the Town. Low Pc (200 < Pc £ 20,000 tons CO₂/year) accounts for 10% of the district area, in Ngai Dang and An Dinh communes; Areas with medium Pc in Tan Hoi and Minh Duc communes (20,000 < Pc £ 40,000 tons CO₂/year) account for 12% of the total district area. Areas with very high Pc (Pc > 100,000 tons CO₂/year) account for 10%, in Huong My commune. Areas with high Pc (40,000 < Pc £ 100,000 tons CO₂/year) account for 66% of the total district area including the remaining communes. Zoning of carbon neutral potential is the foundation for planning green development strategies and effective greenhouse gas emissions management at the local level.