From strategy to practice

Innovation and Sustainability: From Strategy to Practice

As part of the thematic discussion series of the annual regional conference “Gateway to ASEAN” 2024, organized by UOB Bank for the first time in Vietnam, the third discussion session, themed “Innovation with Sustainability,” attracted the attention of many domestic and international businesses.

Focusing on the topic of sustainable development, leaders of leading businesses in various sectors in Vietnam and the region shared practical experiences and business strategies in the context of regional economies pursuing ambitious emission reduction targets.

Coca-Cola: Meeting Regulations and Adapting to Changes in Consumer Behavior

Mr. Bui Khanh Nguyen, Deputy General Director of External Relations, Communications and Sustainable Development of Coca-Cola Vietnam, shared that during its 30 years of operation in Vietnam, Coca-Cola has witnessed significant changes in government policies and market demands. The company has had to adapt to new environmental regulations, such as recycling and waste reduction requirements.

Furthermore, the company has observed that consumers are increasingly prioritizing environmentally friendly products, which encourages Coca-Cola to invest heavily in sustainability initiatives. One of the highlights of Coca-Cola's strategy is its investment in technology.

Mr. Nguyen stated that the company is building a new factory in Long An with advanced technology to minimize environmental impact and improve production efficiency. This transformation will not only help Coca-Cola meet the demands of consumers who increasingly prioritize green products but also support the company in maintaining the resilience of its supply chain in the context of the severe disruptions caused by the pandemic.

TTC AgriS: Collaborating with stakeholders to develop sustainable agriculture.

Ms. Dang Huynh Uc My, Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of Thanh Thanh Cong Bien Hoa Joint Stock Company, shared that the company recently held an international partner conference in Singapore to discuss the development of green, clean, and sustainable agriculture. Ms. My emphasized that for the past 55 years, the company has consistently focused on the goal of sustainable agricultural development through investment in digital transformation, innovation, and building a sustainable supply chain.

According to Ms. My, TTC is committed to supporting its partners and farming communities in adopting sustainable agricultural practices. The company recognizes that sustainable development requires support and synergy from its partners. She emphasized that close cooperation with stakeholders in the ecosystem is key to achieving shared success.

Ms. My also shared about the role of financial partners through the example of her company recently receiving a Green Trade grant from UOB Bank to produce coconuts sustainably, contributing positively to supporting coconut farmers in the company's supply chain ecosystem.

DHL Express: Transitioning to clean energy to reduce emissions.

Mr. Bernardo Bautista, General Manager and Country Director of DHL Express Vietnam, provided information on DHL's efforts in using clean energy and reducing emissions. Mr. Bautista stated that over 90% of DHL Express's emissions come from air freight, and the company is striving to transition to sustainable energy sources instead of relying on gasoline and diesel.

Mr. Bautista explained that switching to clean energy may be more expensive, but the company is willing to invest in these solutions to protect the planet. By 2023, DHL Express was the largest user of sustainable energy for air transport, with approximately 3% of DHL Express's air transport fuel being sustainable fuel.

Mr. Bernardo Bautista, General Director and Country Manager of DHL Express Vietnam, shared his insights during the discussion session.

DHL has also implemented programs that allow customers to contribute to the emission reduction journey by choosing sustainable fuel-based transportation solutions. DHL reports that more than 3,000 customers in Vietnam have proactively chosen the company's Go Green products to reduce their emissions.

Schneider Electric: Technological innovations that help improve energy efficiency.

Mr. Yoon Young Kim, President of Schneider Electric Singapore and Brunei, emphasized the crucial role of technology in promoting sustainability. Schneider Electric focuses on improving resource efficiency and reducing emissions through technological solutions. Mr. Kim stated that the company is working with UOB Bank to support sustainable energy and mobility projects.

Mr. Yoon Young Kim, President of Schneider Electric Singapore and Brunei, emphasized the role of technology in sustainable development.

Mr. Kim noted that, although new technologies like AI are developing rapidly, they are also very energy-intensive. He cited the example of using GPT, which consumes 10 times more energy than using Google. Therefore, more solutions are needed to make data centers more efficient. Schneider Electric has actively adopted new technological solutions to help save energy and minimize resource waste.

Speakers at the panel discussion unanimously agreed that close collaboration between public and private sectors, particularly financial support from financial institutions, is crucial to driving the transition of businesses towards reduced emissions and greater sustainability.

Representatives from UOB Bank also stated that, with the largest trade network in the region, the bank is actively collaborating with stakeholders, connecting businesses with solution providers to drive the revolutionization of the entire supply chain towards greater sustainability and environmental friendliness.

Held for the first time in Vietnam, the annual regional conference “Gateway to ASEAN” 2024 attracted approximately 600 guests, comprising two main discussion sessions and three thematic discussion sessions. The focus was on in-depth discussions of growth drivers in ASEAN, analysis and sharing of practical experiences on investing in ASEAN through Vietnam, supply chain management, and the pursuit of green and sustainable development through innovation. Initiated by UOB Bank, the event aimed to provide valuable information to businesses while creating networking opportunities and promoting trade and investment in the region, leveraging UOB's extensive regional trade network.

Source: https://baodautu.vn/doi-moi-sang-tao-cung-tinh-ben-vung-tu-chien-luoc-den-thuc-tien-d225129.html