Da Nang business community moves towards green economy

DNO - Da Nang is oriented to become an “environmental city”, “smart city” and “green, sustainable economic center”. In that journey, promoting responsible business practices (RBC) is identified as an important factor to realize the goal of developing clean industry, sustainable trade and international integration.

Enterprises display booths at the conference, introducing green and sustainable production and business processes. Photo: NGOC HA

On the morning of October 24, the workshop “Responsible business practices in the global green economy ” took place in Da Nang. The event was jointly organized by the Da Nang Union of Friendship Organizations, the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) Central Highlands Branch and Catalyst+ Vietnam, bringing together managers, experts and businesses to share solutions to promote green economy and sustainable development.

Spreading the spirit of responsible business

According to statistics from VCCI, in Da Nang , the rate of enterprises interested in greening production and business is increasing. Specifically, 61% of enterprises said that they were guided by state agencies on environmental protection laws; 82% agreed with prioritizing the purchase of goods and services from green enterprises; and 78% believed that state agencies were willing to pay more for environmentally friendly products.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Kieu Anh, Director of Go Noi Green Agriculture Cooperative (Dien Ban Ward), shared: “We pursue a circular agriculture model, promoting soil and plant health. After the essential oil distillation process, all by-products are composted into fertilizer, completely eliminating waste discharge into the environment.”

Businesses displayed booths at the conference, introducing green and sustainable production and business processes. Photo: NGOC HA

Meanwhile, Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Trang, CEO of Hoa Tho Textile Joint Stock Corporation, affirmed: “Practicing responsible business is not only an obligation but also a core cultural value that Hoa Tho steadfastly pursues. We focus on investing in green - clean - circular production, considering environmental protection as the guiding principle for the sustainable development of the enterprise.”

During the period 2020 - 2024, Hoa Tho significantly reduced electricity consumption from 33.7 million kWh to 32.5 million kWh, coal from 21.5 tons to 6 tons, and firewood from 15,000 tons to 9,000 tons. Next, in 2025, the enterprise plans to complete a rooftop solar power project with a capacity of 5,500 kWp. The long-term goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2% per unit of product during the period 2023 - 2028, while promoting the reuse of wastewater and environmentally friendly materials.

Connecting public-private action to promote green economy

Speaking at the workshop, Ms. Do Thi Quynh Tram, Deputy Director of the Department of Industry and Trade of Da Nang city, said: In recent times, the industry and trade sector has coordinated to implement many programs to support businesses in implementing RBC, accompanying the goal of developing a green economy.

Representative of the Department of Industry and Trade of Da Nang city shared at the workshop. Photo: NGOC HA

These programs focus on five main areas: (1) Developing smart factories and promoting cleaner production in industry; (2) Technological innovation, aiming at energy saving and emission reduction; (3) Encouraging industry, promoting trade and promoting responsible consumption; (4) Encouraging participation in sustainable supply chains and fair trade; (5) Strengthening inspection of goods, preventing counterfeit and poor-quality goods to protect a healthy business environment.

“Currently, many large enterprises in Da Nang, especially in the fields of textiles, seafood, food, electricity and electronics, have proactively invested in quality management systems, wastewater treatment and energy saving solutions, aiming towards low-emission supply chains. This is a clear demonstration of the strong transformation of Da Nang enterprises in the green integration process,” Ms. Tram emphasized.

Creating policy incentives and resources for businesses

According to the Department of Industry and Trade, Da Nang is synchronously implementing many solutions to promote the green transformation process. These solutions include administrative reform, digitizing procedures, shortening licensing time, and encouraging businesses to invest in environmentally friendly technology, digital transformation and innovation.

In addition, the city promotes regular public-private dialogue to resolve problems, create a forum for information sharing and enhance social consensus. The criteria of “green development - social responsibility” are also integrated into trade promotion, innovation and business support programs.

The city is currently implementing the project “Da Nang creates: Trust in Vietnamese products - Made in Da Nang”. This project proposes to build a brand guarantee mechanism, product digital passport, and institutionalize the public-private-community partnership (PPD) model. The goal is to strengthen the connection between policy and business practices.

Master Pham Ngoc Thach, Deputy Head of the Legal Department of VCCI, shared at the workshop. Photo: NGOC HA

Speaking at the workshop, Master Pham Ngoc Thach, Deputy Head of the VCCI Legal Department, commented that the national policy on RBC (Responsible Business Conduct) and ESG (environment - society - governance) is establishing a new "rule of the game" for businesses. Mr. Thach emphasized: "RBC and ESG are no longer a mere expense, but have become a prerequisite for competitiveness and sustainable development."

According to him, businesses need to proactively transform their production models, invest in green technology and apply the circular economy. At the same time, they must also improve their sustainable management capacity to meet the increasingly stringent requirements of the global supply chain.

At the workshop, business representatives shared many practical models and difficulties in practicing responsible business, from capital, technology, human resources to consumer markets. International management agencies and organizations such as ILO and Catalyst+ Canada also introduced global experiences in supporting businesses to transition to a green, equitable and inclusive economy.

Source: https://baodanang.vn/cong-dong-doanh-nghiep-da-nang-huong-den-kinh-te-xanh-3308220.html