Green credit is also a priority for banks
Conducting the survey on the Provincial Green Index (PGI an index for evaluating and ranking the environmental quality in 63 provinces and cities) is an opportunity for Thua Thien Hue to recognize as well as have clearer orientations to planning a green growth strategy.
That was the comment of Mr. Duong Tuan Anh - President of the Provincial Business Association for Thua Thien Hue Weekend when talking about the VCCI’s (Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry) evaluation of the PGI index in 2022.
According to the President of the Provincial Business Association, VCCI is conducting a survey of the PGI in 2022. Being integrated into the Provincial Competitiveness Index (PCI) survey, the PGI will promote provinces and cities in general and Thua Thien Hue in particular to pay more attention to economic development associated with environmental protection. At the same time, the enterprises' assessment will also provide timely information to support the government in policy making, promote the building of an environmentally friendly business ecosystem, and contribute to attracting investors who are aware of environmental protection and “green” projects to Thua Thien Hue province.
In your opinion, what is the significance of economic development associated with environmental protection?
Increasing environmental problems have brought the strengthening of environmental protection in business activities into more focus.
The requirements on environmental standards in importing and exporting of goods, and the increasing market demand for green and environmentally friendly products have forced enterprises to innovate technology and closely monitor their processes to ensure environmental criteria in their production and business. Complying with legal regulations on environmental protection is not only an obligation for businesses but also a driving force to seek sustainable profits for themselves.
Could you share some green models and initiatives that members of the Association are implementing?
Building a green economic development strategy is being particularly interested by the Association's members. In which, many enterprises promote models of green economy and circular economy. For instance, Que Lam Group JSC deploys many activities to connect their production on the basis of respecting consumers and the environment. Thua Thien Hue Water Supply JSC promotes the application of technology solutions to save energy, limit emissions... in their safe water supply. Scavi Company also applies many solutions for “greening” textile activities.
Not only large enterprises, but also small and micro enterprises have also made certain investments in building green models and initiatives in business activities, and bringing efficiency and spillovers in the community.
To orient the model of green growth and sustainable growth, what shall enterprises need to do?
Environmentally friendly business and applying green models will be a strategic path for businesses to develop sustainably in the increasingly fierce competition. For a company to develop in that direction, there must be consensus from leaders to employees.
Company leaders must be the pioneers, thereby changing the way of thinking and acting of each individual employee in the whole company. Specifically, companies need to actively innovate their technologies, develop clean energy sources, renewable energy, and production technologies that save resources, consume less energy and are environmentally friendly.
For businesses with little capital, it is not necessary to invest in modern equipment. Instead, they can perform simple actions, such as: well complying with environmental protection regulations, improving production processes to reduce raw materials, fuel and electricity, and prioritizing the use of environmentally friendly input materials.
Does the green economic model that businesses are aiming for come from the government's green growth policy?
The Resolution 54 of the Politburo on the construction and development of Thua Thien Hue province to 2030, with a vision to 2045 has clearly defined that by 2025, Thua Thien Hue will become a centrally-governed municipality on the basis of conserving and promoting the value of the ancient capital heritage and Hue cultural identity, with cultural and heritage characteristics, smart and environmentally friendly eco systems and landscapes.
Therefore, the province, in its development orientation, always identifies the application of solutions for green economic models to replace the traditional ones, that are both for developing the economy and protecting the environment. This is an important approach to economic growth in order to achieve comprehensive and sustainable local development.
Along with that, the movements of Green Sunday, the city of four seasons of flowers, the construction of a green – clean - bright city, a city without vehicle whistles, etc., that the province is implementing, have also created a good spillover effect in the community in general and business community in particular.
According to you, how do these orientations contribute to promoting enterprises to invest in green growth?
To really create a push in sustainable growth, recently, Thua Thien Hue officially launched the Circular Economy Network with the expectation of promoting and spreading circular economy initiatives. At the same time, the province organized many forums to develop sustainable innovative businesses; that was a turning point to promote the local innovation and start-up ecosystem in association with global environmental solutions, with a special attention to promoting the application of circular economy for local enterprises. This has created great conditions for businesses to apply initiatives and “green” models in line with the province's development orientation.
Thua Thien Hue has rejected many projects with the risk of causing environmental pollution or commercial projects with the risk of disrupting the landscape to protect the environment. The consistent viewpoint of “no exchange of the environment for the sake of growth” has built trust as well as motivation for enterprises to “green” their investment activities.
As you said, Thua Thien Hue has performed quite well its guiding role in green growth. From a business perspective, what more suggestions do you have for the government to both promote businesses to develop in the direction of environmentally friendly business and improve scores in the PGI survey?
Thua Thien Hue is doing very well in green growth strategy planning. However, in order to promote enterprises to invest in green growth, the province needs to complete and promulgate policies that are synchronous and consistent with its orientation towards the environmentally friendly development.
Specifically, it is necessary to introduce policies to encourage the production of environmentally friendly products and services, develop industries and fields that apply clean technology, and boost the greening of production, prioritizing policies and action plans for the development of renewable energy, economical and efficient use of resources, the development of green technology, and clean development mechanism.
It is also essential to develop and replicate “green” and environmentally friendly business models, to subsidize green products and services, strengthen marketing and product advertising activities; organize training programs on green production for the workforce directly participating in environmentally friendly business models; and boost consumer demands for green products and improve environmentally friendly consumption habits...
Thank you!
Story and photo: Hoang Son