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May 23, 2018 / 16:18

Hanoi held forum on environmental protection and green growth

Experts, policy makers and business representatives yesterday gathered at a Hanoi forum to discuss measures to promote businesses’ active participation in environmental protection and sustainable development towards green growth.

The event was hosted by the Vietnamese Natural Resources and Environment Journal (VNMONRE) under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.
 
At the forum
At the forum
Speaking at the forum, Dr. Chu Thai Thanh, Editor-in-Chief of VNMONRE, said that "green growth” or “green economy" is considered to be a path of sustainable economic development which has been chosen by many countries around the world including Vietnam. 
A green economy is defined as a low-carbon economy, saving natural resources and creating social justice, while helping addresses global challenges such as climate change, food security, and energy security, Thanh added.
According to Assoc. Prof., Dr. Nguyen The Chinh, Head of the Institute of Strategy and Policy on Natural Resources and Environment, at present, compliance with environmental legislation is not a "must do" obligation for enterprises, but should become the "driving force for sustainable profits".
In fact, organic agriculture has proven that many businesses have brought about benefits, such as TH Truemilk, VinGroup, and Organic Da Lat. 
In particular, business in the field of environmental supply and services has become a highly attractive field, initially forming a system of environmental services, especially in the collection and transportation of hazardous solid waste and domestic wastewater treatment. 


 
Therefore, environmental protection has become a potential field and a factor constituting the brand of the enterprise.
Experts also agreed that when enterprises increase their investment in environmental protection and green growth, they will create a knock-on effect of bringing positive benefits to businesses and communities and nations.
Enterprises with a safe working environment would ensure the health of their workers thus increasing labour productivity.
Compliance with environmental legislation also helps businesses to avoid legal risks. 
In the long run, investment in environmental protection would help to improve the efficiency of production and business, by reducing the cost of using natural resources.
Eco-labels and environmental standards are attractive tools for customers in the context of deepening international economic integration, so investing in environmental protection is important to improve the competitiveness of the company's products on the international playing field.
Delegates at the event also suggested perfecting the legal system related to the management of resources, environmental protection, and responding to climate change in accordance with the principles of a market economy and international integration, as well as facilitating the business community in accessing advanced science and technology for environmental protection and green growth.