Vinamilk actively implements the Net Zero forest project, aiming to neutralize greenhouse gases.

Over 50 Vinamilk employees participated in a trip to Ca Mau, Ca Mau province – where the company is implementing the Net Zero Forest project from 2023-2029. This is one of many activities Vinamilk carries out annually to successfully regenerate forests and create carbon sinks towards the Net Zero goal.

Vinamilk's Net Zero Forest in Ca Mau

Sitting on a boat, navigating through the mangrove forests for nearly an hour, the faces of the Vinamilk staff members were radiant and excited as they participated in the second annual "Promoting the Natural Regeneration of 25 Hectare of Mangrove Forest in Mui Ca Mau National Park" activity. The delegation consisted of nearly 60 members from Vinamilk's offices, branches, and factories in Bac Ninh , Ho Chi Minh City, and Can Tho.

Mr. Nguyen Chi Cuong - Director of Tien Son Dairy Factory (Vinamilk) - said that he was the member of the team that had to travel the furthest, over 2,000km from Bac Ninh to Dat Mui, Ca Mau . However, all members were very enthusiastic to contribute a small part to the company's overall Net Zero 2050 goal.

" I've been to the southernmost point of the country many times, but this is the first time I've participated in such a meaningful activity with my teammates – directly wading through mud to reinforce the mangrove seed trap fence. Seeing the mangrove trees growing inside the fence that my colleagues helped build a year ago, I feel very moved, happy, and proud, " Cường said excitedly.

Vinamilk staff members worked together to reinforce and repair the fence surrounding the forest conservation area.

Vinamilk's Net Zero Forest project in Dat Mui, Ca Mau, is a mangrove forest restoration project using a natural regeneration promotion method, implemented by Vinamilk in collaboration with the Gaia Nature Conservation Center and Ca Mau Cape National Park since 2023.

Thanks to the barriers that kept the mangrove seeds on the alluvial plain and limited human impact, after one year, Vinamilk's Net Zero Forest has been covered with a vast area of ​​over 71,000 mangrove trees, which are thriving in both number and height. Many trees are now 40-50cm tall, with an average density of 2,500-2,800 trees/ha.

Vinamilk annually engages its employees in forest regeneration activities to contribute to the Net Zero Forest project.

Vinamilk annually engages its employees in forest regeneration activities to contribute to the Net Zero Forest project.

Most of the trees have roots that extend far above the ground, contributing to silt retention and increasing carbon absorption. According to Ms. Huyen Do, Founder and Director of the Gaia Nature Conservation Center, mangrove forests not only store carbon in their trunks, leaves, and roots, but also in the soil (sedimentary basin). Thanks to this, mangrove forests can sequester carbon 4-10 times more effectively than terrestrial forests, with storage times potentially lasting for thousands of years.

"Forests restored through natural regeneration promotion methods typically have a slower growth rate than planted forests, but they are more valuable in terms of biodiversity and carbon sequestration capacity. At the Net Zero Vinamilk Forest, what's special is that the regenerated forest has a very rapid rate of filling. With these results, we are confident that the project will soon achieve the goals initially set by all parties," said Mr. Le Van Dung, Director of Mui Ca Mau National Park.

After the first year of conservation efforts, the forest has seen the regeneration of over 71,000 new trees.

Tens of thousands of young mangrove trees are gradually covering a large area inside the fence with greenery.

Coordinate forest regeneration to create carbon sinks.

Besides its enormous potential for carbon sequestration, Mr. Le Van Su, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Ca Mau province, assessed that Ca Mau's mangrove forests also contribute significantly to climate change mitigation. As the only province with three sides bordering the sea and the second longest coastline in Vietnam, Ca Mau is one of the provinces in the Mekong Delta most severely affected by climate change. Yet, each year, this southernmost province of the country loses approximately 350-400 hectares of mangrove forest due to coastal erosion.

Since 2020, Ca Mau province has begun mobilizing additional resources from organizations and individuals to regenerate forests using various methods. In the Mui Ca Mau National Park alone, the total area regenerated over the past four years is more than 300 hectares, roughly equivalent to the amount of forest the province loses annually. This further demonstrates the need for more effective, decisive, and rapid coordination, as well as the mobilization of more resources.

Mr. Le Van Su, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Ca Mau province, shared his views on the role of mangrove forests in responding to climate change and sequestering carbon.

Mr. Le Van Su, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Ca Mau province, shared further information about projects for natural forest regeneration.

"We highly appreciate the organizations, individuals, and businesses that have shown interest and contributed to the care, protection, and development of mangrove forests. The role of businesses is particularly important in providing the necessary resources for all stakeholders. We hope that you will continue to spread this concern so that it becomes even more widespread and effective," Mr. Su said when participating in Vinamilk's second year of mangrove reforestation program.

Vinamilk's forest regeneration project in Ca Mau is part of the Net Zero Forest project. The specific goal is to regenerate 25 hectares of forest in the core area of ​​the national park, with approximately 100,000 to 250,000 trees expected to grow within six years. Upon completion, this will act as a carbon sink with an estimated capacity of 17,000 to 20,000 tons of carbon, equivalent to 62,000 to 73,000 tons of CO2 equivalent.

Mr. Le Hoang Minh - Production Executive Director and Head of the Net Zero Vinamilk Project - added: "With the Net Zero Vinamilk Forest project, we not only aim to protect the environment or restore ecosystems, but also identify measurable goals. Here, it's about carbon sequestration capacity. This goal requires greater participation from businesses, collaboration from local authorities, specialized units, and the people."

Mr. Le Hoang Minh demonstrates the procedure for tying steel wire around mangrove piles to create a fence for aquaculture enclosures.

Standing amidst Vinamilk's forest area, Mr. Le Hoang Minh emphasized the role of carbon sequestration tanks in achieving the Net Zero 2050 goal.

In addition to the existing fence protecting the forest area, Vinamilk also collaborates with Gaia and the Mui Ca Mau National Park to conduct patrols and monitoring activities to protect the forest; and to raise awareness among local people about forest protection. Furthermore, they work closely together in surveying and measuring the forest's growth potential annually, to provide a basis for calculating its future carbon absorption capacity.

Businesses collaborate with local authorities to regenerate forests, helping to maximize the effectiveness of resources.

Mr. Nguyen Quang Tri - Marketing Director - representing Vinamilk, presented over 1,200 nutritional products to Mui Ca Mau National Park.

Vinamilk is considered a prime example of sustainable development in Vietnam today and is a pioneer in announcing its roadmap towards Net Zero by 2050. The Vinamilk Net Zero Forest project in Dat Mui, Ca Mau, is one of the company's practical activities aimed at creating carbon sinks from forests in the future. Prior to this project, Vinamilk also implemented the "Fund for 1 Million Green Trees for Vietnam" program, planting over 1.1 million trees in 20 provinces and cities, contributing to Vinamilk's greenhouse gas neutralization for its current production activities…

Source: https://phunuvietnam.vn/vinamilk-tich-cuc-thuc-hien-du-an-canh-rung-net-zero-huong-den-trung-hoa-khi-nha-kinh-20240922212848303.htm