CoMem launches the “Rừng An Lành 2024” Campaign – Reforesting 2-hectare- watershed forest in Chiềng La

CoMem launches the “Rừng An Lành 2024” Campaign – Reforesting 2-hectare- watershed forest in Chiềng La

In July 2024, CoMem collaborated with the SRD – a member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) – to launch the RỪNG AN LÀNH 2024 project with the message “Grow Green Forests – Live Peacefully”. It aims to reforest 2-hectare-watershed forest with nearly 3,000 trees in Chiềng La Commune, Thuận Châu District, Sơn La Province.

CoMem has been on a 9-year journey with the mission and strategy focusing on CSV – a sustainable business model that creates values for society and the communities. In 2024, CoMem joined VB4E – an alliance promoting businesses engagement in environmental protection and natural conservation, initiated by IUCN and other partners. The project in Sơn La is the second phase following the initial phase of the RỪNG AN LÀNH project, planting 2-hectare-watershed forest in Ninh Thuận Province.

In 2024, aim at supporting the communities in developing agroforestry-related economic activities while protecting forests and enhancing climate resilience, through the Rừng An Lành project, CoMem in collaboration with SRD and local authorities will carry out the following activities:

✨Conduct training activities to educate the locals on knowledge, techniques for planting, caring and protecting forests.

✨ Plan 2-hectare-watershed forest to protect water sources, in combination with proper care and protection techniques, and hand over to the local authorities and residents after 5 years.

This model mainly focuses on enhancing the capacity and awareness of forest protection at the grassroots level, from the local community itself. When the community fully understands and is capable of self-management, forest resources and ecosystems will be sustainably protected for future generations.

Stay tuned and follow CoMem to bring the Rừng An Lành to the community and the people of Song Village, Chiềng La commune, Thuận Châu District in the coming time.

Seminar on sharing the results and experiences of “Plastic Bag Free Day” 2024 in Viet Nam.

Seminar on sharing the results and experiences of “Plastic Bag Free Day” 2024 in Viet Nam.

On July 30, 2024, the Institute of Strategy and Policy on Natural Resources and Environment (ISPONRE) in collaboration with WWF-Vietnam and IUCN organized a seminar titled “Promoting solutions to reduce Single-Use Plastics: From practice to policy,” with representatives from government agencies, Non-Governmental Organizations, businesses, retailers, etc. This event was a summary of the International Plastic Bag Free Day 2024, initiated by the ISPONRE and the Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade.

Mr. Nguyen Trung Thang, Deputy Director of ISPONRE, delivered the opening speech at the seminar: “Thanks for the relentless efforts from Plastic Alliance members towards to eliminate plastic pollution and reduce the use of non-degradable plastic bags in Viet Nam. We believe that with the strong commitments from retailers, supermarkets, shopping centers, and other partners, we will collectively contribute to the national, regional, and global efforts towards developing the Global Plastic Treaty.”

The 2024 campaign was held from June 29 to July 3, 2024, with the message “Reducing plastic bags, Nourishing the seeds of life” and involved the cooperation of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, WWF-Vietnam, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) through the Vietnam Business for Environment Alliance (VB4E), the For Vietnamese Stature Foundation (VSF), and the Pacific Environment Organization. Retailers participating in the campaign included the entire LOTTE Mart supermarket system, AEON Vietnam department stores and supermarkets nationwide, 10 TH true mart stores, Big C Thang Long, 4 MM Mega Market centers in Hanoi, as well as the Co.op Mart system in Phu Yen, Kien Giang, Quang Tri, Quang Binh, Ha Tinh, and the GO! supermarket system and Hoa Tho shopping center in Da Nang.

Throughout the campaign, the organizing committee held many communication activities to raise community awareness about the harmful effects of plastic bags and single-use plastics. These activities included mini-games with questions and answers about plastic waste knowledge, such as “Learn while playing, play while learning,” the “Lucky Wheel,” visits to the “Blue Ocean Photo Studio,” messages to the future, and an online competition on social media to convey the message “Reducing plastic bags, Nourishing the seeds of life”

After many days of reviewing numerous high-quality submissions, the judging of the “Reducing plastic bags, Nourishing the seeds of life” competition finally selected the best entries that met the contest’s criteria to award prizes. The awards included: 1 First Prize, 2 Second Prizes, 3 Third Prizes, 10 Consolation Prizes, and 1 Interaction Prize. In addition, for the authors who did not win the prize, to thank you for your interest, time to participate in the contest and spread positive actions in protecting the environment, the Organizing Committee decided to give you a gift worth 200,000 VND

In just five days, the campaign received significant community interest, reflected in impressive figures such as:

• More than 30 news outlets covered the “No Plastic Bag Day in Vietnam” campaign activities.
• Over 17,000 people nationwide accessed information related to the campaign on social media platforms.
• A total of more than 166,400 bags, equivalent to nearly 2.5 tons of plastic bags, were reduced.
• More than 1,430 visitors attended event booths at AEON Mall Long Bien, TH true mart Tràng Tiền, and Big C Thang Long.
• Nearly 1,000 inspirational stories about environmental protection were submitted through both direct (at event booths) and online (via social media platforms) channels.

In the future, members of the Retailers Alliance to Reduce Plastic Bags will continue to implement activities to reduce plastic bags and single-use plastics. Specifically, LOTTE Mart will continue to run a program to give away environmentally friendly bags to customers across the system to help change customer awareness and behavior. Central Retail will promote the benefits of using environmentally friendly bags, encourage customers to use boxes for packing, train cashiers to advise customers during checkout, set reward targets for cashiers who sell the most Lohas/GO bags in a month, and place additional cardboard boxes at checkout counters. AEON Vietnam is also striving to expand the scope of its “Plastic Bag Free Day” program to all department stores and supermarkets nationwide on the first Monday of each month at cashless checkout counters.

As a pioneer in sustainable development, TH true mart stores of the TH Group replaced single-use plastic bags with biodegradable bags made from environmentally friendly materials such as sugarcane and corn husks many years ago. Even though biodegradable bags are more environmentally friendly and decompose easily compared to plastic bags, TH limits their distribution to consumers. Instead, TH encourages customers to use and reuse canvas bags, aiming to significantly reduce plastic bag waste. Through these efforts, in 2023, the TH true mart system reduced its bag usage by 34% compared to the average consumption, saving more than 38.2 tons of biodegradable bags.

“TAKING A LOOK AT THE IMPRESSIVE NUMBERS IN THE CAMPAIGN “PLASTIC BAG FREE DAY IN VIETNAM”

“TAKING A LOOK AT THE IMPRESSIVE NUMBERS IN THE CAMPAIGN “PLASTIC BAG FREE DAY IN VIETNAM”

From June 29 to July 3, the Campaign “Plastic bag free day in Vietnam” was successfully organized at retailers including: the entire LOTTE Mart supermarket system, all AEON Vietnam department stores and Supermarkets nationwide; 10 TH true mart stores, Big C Thang Long, 04 MM Mega Market Vietnam Centers in Hanoi; as well as the Co.op Mart system in Phu Yen, Kien Giang, Quang Tri, Quang Binh, Ha Tinh and the GO! supermarket system, Hoa Tho Commercial Center in Da Nang City.

In particular, the Campaign created highly engaging spaces at 3 major retailers: Aeon Mall Long Bien, BigC Thang Long and TH true mart Trang Tien. In just 5 days, the Campaign recorded significant community engagement with impressive figures such as:

• Over 30 newspapers covered the activities of the Campaign “Plastic bag free day in Vietnam”.
• More than 17,000 people nationwide accessed information related to the Campaign on social networking platforms.
• A total of more than 166,400 bags, equivalent to nearly 2.5 tons of plastic bags, were reduced.
• More than 1,430 visitors attended event booths at AEON Mall Long Bien, TH true mart Trang Tien store and Big C Thang Long.
• Nearly 1,000 stories sharing to inspire the community about environmental protection were sent in both forms: directly (at the event booth) and online (via social networking platforms).

The Campaign “Plastic bag free day in Vietnam”

Implementors: #ISPONRE, Department of Industry and Trade – DOIT Hà Nội

Partners: #worldwildlifefund – WWF Viet Nam, #IUCN, #VB4E, #VSF, #THG, #KingdomoftheNetherlandsinVietnam, #PE, #Almalife

Officially launching the campaign “Plastic Bag Free Day” in Vietnam

Officially launching the campaign “Plastic Bag Free Day” in Vietnam

Responding to the annual International Plastic Bag Free Day (July, 3rd), the Institute of Strategy and Policy on Natural Resources and Environment (ISPONRE) and the Department of Industry and Trade of Hanoi coordinated with the World Wide Fund for Nature in Viet Nam (WWF-Vietnam), Embassy of the Netherlands, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) through Vietnam Business for Environment (VB4E), TH Group, For Vietnamese Stature Foundation, the Pacific Environment, and other partners organized the Campaign “Plastic Bag Free Day in Vietnam”

The campaign will be held from June 29, 2024 to July 3, 2024 at supermarkets/retailers that are members of the Alliance of Retailers to Reduce Single-use Plastic Bags such as TH true mart Trang Tien, Central Retail (BigC Thang Long), AEON Long Bien, Lotte Hanoi, Mega Market Hanoi.

Activities that will take place during the Campaign include:

– Short film screening

– Painting exhibitions on environmental topics

– Instant artistic photos taking

– Minigames and gifts

– Online contest “Reducing Plastic Bags, nourishing the Seeds of Life”

Join VB4E, IUCN, TH Group and For Vietnamese Stature Foundation in responding to the “Plastic Bag Free Day in Vietnam” by participating in activities at supermarkets and remember to bring personal bags when going out.

Training of Trainers (TOT) for Sustainability & Climate Reporting and Disclosure

Training of Trainers (TOT) for Sustainability & Climate Reporting and Disclosure

Hanoi, June 5th, 2024 – Institute of Natural resources and Environment Training (InNET) in collaboration with International Finance Corporation (IFC), Swiss State Secretariat of Economic Affairs (SECO), International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) through Vietnam Business for Environment (VB4E) co-founded by TH Group and Institute of Strategy and Policy on Natural Resources and Environment (ISPONRE) co-organised the Training of Trainers (TOT) for Sustainability & Climate Reporting and Disclosure from June 3rd to 4th, 2024 in Hanoi with the attendance of nearly 70 representatives from international and domestic business sector, consulting companies as well as universities.

The purpose of the training is to strengthen the capacity of Vietnamese trainers and consultants to support the business sector in Vietnam to promote business practices according to ESG standards to enhance sustainable business operations in general and publish sustainable development reports and greenhouse gas emissions inventory reports.

Vietnam is one of the countries suffering the most negative impacts from extreme climate change. Recognizing those challenges, the Government has issued Decree 06/2022/ND-CP regulating greenhouse gas emissions mitigation and protecting the ozone layer and Decision 01/2022/QD-TTG promulgating the list of Sectors and establishments emitting greenhouse gases must conduct greenhouse gas inventory reports.

In addition, the Government also promulgates regulations and guidelines for implementing sustainable development reporting for businesses such as Sustainability Reporting Manual, Environmental and Social Disclosure Guidelines… to familiarise with international practices on reporting and disclosing information on ESG standards, also known as sustainable development, and climate-related information such as the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). or Integrated Reporting Principles…

The International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) has issued the first set of International Sustainability Reporting Standards (IFRS Sustainability Standards), including: IFRS S1 – General requirements for disclosure of information related to sustainability and IFRS S2 – Climate related disclosures. Overall, IFRS is expected to help improve trust and confidence for sustainability disclosures in public companies served for investment decisions.

At the training, businesses in the network had the opportunity to exchange and update new information under the guidance of international and domestic experts related to greenhouse gas emissions inventory reports and IFRS. The organisers hope that business representatives, lecturers and consulting companies will have more capacity and tools to support businesses applying ESG standard in Vietnam.

New Member Announcement – Co Mem Natural Cosmeceutic Joint Stock Company

New Member Announcement – Co Mem Natural Cosmeceutic Joint Stock Company

Consultation meeting: The role of informal waste workers in solid waste management and implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)

Consultation meeting: The role of informal waste workers in solid waste management and implementation of EPR

On the occasion of the International Women’s Day in 2024, UNDP Viet Nam, NPAP, and IUCN Viet Nam (through the IUCN-PRO Viet Nam strategic partnership), curated a meeting in Hoi An to recognize and promote the contribution of informal waste workers (IWWs) in reducing solid waste; discuss inputs to Viet Nam’s preparations for the ongoing Global Plastic Treaty’s negotiation; and integrate IWWs into EPR implementation. 

The workshop was participated by the local government authorities, research institutes, NGOs, members of the NPAP’s Gender and Social Inclusivity Task Force, representatives of MONRE, DONRE, UNDP, IUCN, the Canadian Embassy in Viet Nam, Viet Nam EPR Office, local and international NGOs, academia, PRO Viet Nam, business, media and recyclers. 

The EPR scheme is expected to have significant changes in the waste management system, particularly impacting IWWs in the collection and recycling of waste.  The EPR will fundamentally affect the waste collection, sorting and recycling system in Viet Nam, which is partially undertaken by the informal sector.

According to The Circulate Initiative (2023), about 60% of plastic waste is collected and recycled by 20 million informal waste workers globally, who are among the most vulnerable and marginalized groups in society. In Viet Nam, the informal sector, where women account for up to 90% of the composition, also helps collect over 30% of recyclable plastic, thereby alleviating the financial burden on local cleanliness and with the potential to support a reduction in the waste collection and treatment costs paid by the government. To shape a sustainable plastic circularity and implement national plans, it is necessary to ensure that IWW have opportunities to improve their livelihoods and support them to transit into the formal waste management system. 

Before the meeting, the participants and the Task Force also visited the pilot models, “Green House” and “Happy Shop”, which were designed and developed by ‘unsung heroes” in Hoi An city. Understanding local contexts and boosting innovative ideas are approaches for all members of the Task Force to finalize its work plan for 2024 and take actions in different areas of Viet Nam.

PROJECT SUMMARY WORKSHOP OF THE WIN-WIN FOR VIETNAM: “FROM CSR/CSV TO ESG”

On February 29, 2024, the “Win-win for Vietnam” Project Summary Workshop was hosted in Ho Chi Minh City by RED Communication & ProNGO! with the support of the European Union.

The purpose of the workshop was to discuss the prospects of improving cooperation between Businesses and CSOs for sustainable development in the new context of ESG (Environment – Society – Governance) as well as propose solutions to solve future environmental and social issues.

The workshop clarified the picture of the current new context – CSR/CSV which has opened the door to a transformation in business approach, with high consideration of the impacts of business activities on the environment and society. ESG has become an important factor in building the strategies of businesses, so opportunities for cooperation between Social Organizations and Businesses become increasingly greater to respond to social and environmental challenges.

A representative of IUCN gave a presentation related to Vietnam Business for Environment (VB4E) and shared the results and lessons learned from VB4E’s activities.

The workshop was also followed by the ‘Marketing for Development’ gala which honored initiatives and communication campaigns that contribute to sustainable development. Campaigns awarded at the M4D Awards will create a positive effect in the community about effective communication and marketing activities which both creates social value and increases economic value for businesses.

M4D Awards also aimed to promote effective cooperation between businesses and social organizations in proposing initiatives to solve social problems with a view to creating many human values for the community in the context of multilateral collaboration to achieve sustainable development.

At the M4D Awards 2023 Gala, 22 marketing campaigns for sustainable development were honored in two categories: CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility), CSV (Creating Shared Value) and (B) Integrating messages promoting gender equality and diversity as well as gender inclusion to break down gender stereotypes and biases.

University of Virginia organized an education aboard program “Vietnam: An Ecological-Economic Exploration” for 21 American students in Hanoi

University of Virginia organized an education aboard program “Vietnam: An Ecological-Economic Exploration” for 21 American students in Hanoi

On January 10, 2024, University of Virginia organized an education aboard program “Vietnam: An Ecological-Economic Exploration” with the participation of many representatives from organizations such as IUCN, KVC, CDI, UNDP, WB, …

The aim of the program is to discuss how to solve problems related to economic development associated with environmental issues. Students at University of Virginia had a face-to-face discussion with speakers at the meeting to better understand Vietnam’s direction in achieving the goals of sustainable development in the long run.IUCN representative had some sharing about VB4E Alliance, IUCN Vietnam’s projects as well as IUCN’s endeavors to increase business participation in environmental protection and business development.

Introducing IONIQ mangrove restoration project in Ca Mau Province, Viet Nam

Introducing IONIQ mangrove restoration project in Ca Mau Province, Viet Nam

On December 19, 2024, IUCN organised a consultation workshop on the mangrove restoration project in Ca Mau. The project is a 3-year partnership between IUCN, Hyundai Motor Company, and Good Neighbors International (GNI) to restore mangroves in the Mekong Delta on privately owned shrimp farms (red book).

In November 2023, the Provincial People’s Committee issued Decision No. 8914 assigning the Ca Mau Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) to be the government focal point and to work with IUCN on project approval.

The consultation was an opportunity to inform shrimp farmers and government officials of the project goal and strategy. During group discussions, participants identified opportunities and challenges for mangrove restoration on private farms. These showed that while farmers are interested in how to increase the productivity of mangrove polyculture models, officials are concerned about how to increase mangroves.

One solution is that farmers commit to planting and protecting Avicennia mangroves for at least five years if they can thin the trees frequently to feed shrimp. Truong Minh Thuan, Vice-Head of the Sub-DARD in Nam Can District, said that Avicennia leaves are popular natural shrimp food in extensive farms with a salinity level of 10-25 per thousand due to their fast decomposition. The sub-DARD has issued Decision No. 67 to plant Avicennia in extensive shrimp farms to improve productivity, which has been strongly supported by local farmers.

Mangrove planting on shrimp farms in protection or production forests (green book) is almost entirely Rhizophora because it is easy to plant and produces high-value timber, which is harvested on a 15-year cycle.