Green transformation fuels sustainable growth – Nhan Dan Online

Report on the Role of Green Consumption in Advancing Sustainable Development Goals in Viet Nam

Executive Summary

A recent stakeholder discussion highlighted the critical role of collective action in achieving Viet Nam’s sustainable development targets. The consensus among government, industry experts, and enterprise representatives is that consumer behaviour is a primary catalyst for the green transformation of the economy. This report outlines the key drivers, challenges, and collaborative frameworks necessary to align national development with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

The Green Transformation: An Imperative for SDG Alignment

National Commitments and Climate Action (SDG 13)

Viet Nam’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 necessitates a fundamental shift across society. This transition is driven by a growing awareness, heightened by extreme weather events, that collective action is essential to mitigate climate change and protect the environment. Fulfilling the objectives of SDG 13 requires a synergistic approach involving policy reform, corporate transition, and community engagement.

Policy Frameworks for Responsible Production (SDG 12)

The government has progressively strengthened the legal foundation for a circular economy, thereby institutionalising the shift towards low-carbon development in line with SDG 12. Key regulatory instruments include:

• Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR): Mandates that businesses recover and recycle packaging and products, internalising the environmental cost of goods.
• Green Finance Mechanisms: The development of green credit, green bonds, and a carbon market roadmap provides financial incentives for sustainable practices.

Corporate Strategy and International Pressures (SDG 8 & SDG 9)

For Vietnamese enterprises, green development is no longer a matter of corporate social responsibility but a strategic imperative for economic growth and market access (SDG 8). International regulations, such as the European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), create significant pressure for businesses to innovate and adopt sustainable practices (SDG 9). Failure to meet emissions targets and ensure transparency threatens export potential. Conversely, proactive transformation yields dual benefits:

1. Improved operational efficiency and cost savings through technological innovation and energy reuse.
2. Enhanced product competitiveness and brand reputation in global markets.

Consumer Engagement: The Lynchpin for a Circular Economy (SDG 12)

The Rise of Responsible Consumption

Consumers are an indispensable force in closing the product lifecycle loop, directly contributing to the targets of SDG 12. A trend towards green consumption is gaining momentum, particularly among urban youth, who increasingly scrutinise environmental factors and demand transparency in product value chains.

Bridging the Awareness-Action Gap

Despite growing awareness, a significant gap persists between consumer intention and purchasing behaviour. Overcoming this gap is crucial for scaling up the circular economy. Key barriers include:

• The higher perceived cost of green products.
• Lack of convenience in accessing sustainable options.
• Insufficient trust in the quality and efficacy of recycled goods.

Addressing these barriers requires concerted efforts in public communication, product transparency, and building consumer confidence in environmentally friendly alternatives.

Collaborative Frameworks: Fostering Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17)

A National Vision for Sustainable Prosperity (SDG 11, 14, 15)

Viet Nam’s long-term vision to 2050 is to build a green, circular economy that supports prosperous and sustainable communities (SDG 11) while protecting natural ecosystems, forests, and water sources (SDG 14 and SDG 15). This vision depends on a model of shared responsibility where every individual and organisation contributes to emissions reduction and environmental protection.

The Role of Multi-Stakeholder Initiatives

Achieving these ambitious goals requires robust partnerships, as outlined in SDG 17. The Viet Nam Packaging Recycling Organisation (PRO Viet Nam) serves as a prime example of such a collaboration. As a non-profit initiative founded by leading corporations, its functions include:

• Promoting and facilitating sustainable packaging recycling on a national scale.
• Leveraging economies of scale and shared expertise among its 30 member companies.
• Supporting businesses in effectively meeting their Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) obligations.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article addresses several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by focusing on the transition towards a green, circular economy in Viet Nam. The core themes of sustainable consumption, climate action, industrial innovation, and partnerships are prominently featured.

• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production: This is the most central SDG in the article, which revolves around “green consumption,” “sustainable production practices,” the “circular economy,” and the role of consumers and enterprises in this shift.
• SDG 13: Climate Action: The article directly links the push for a green economy to climate change mitigation, referencing Viet Nam’s “commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050” and the need to “reduce emissions” in response to “extreme weather events.”
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: The discussion on the “green transformation of enterprises,” the need for “technological innovation and energy reuse,” and upgrading to “green production practices” to meet international standards connects directly to this goal.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The article repeatedly emphasizes the need for “collective action” and “strong synergy” between government, businesses, and communities. The collaboration that organized the talk show and the existence of PRO Viet Nam are concrete examples of such partnerships.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

1. Target 12.5: By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling, and reuse.
   • The article highlights this target through its focus on the circular economy, the role of the Viet Nam Packaging Recycling Organisation (PRO Viet Nam) in enhancing “sustainable packaging recycling,” and regulations on “Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), which require businesses to recover and recycle packaging and products after use.”
2. Target 12.8: By 2030, ensure that people everywhere have the relevant information and awareness for sustainable development and lifestyles in harmony with nature.
   • This target is addressed when the article points out the “significant gap remains between awareness and action” among consumers. It underscores the need for “stronger communication, greater transparency, and increased consumer trust in environmentally friendly products” to close this gap.

SDG 13: Climate Action

1. Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning.
   • The article directly supports this by mentioning Viet Nam’s national “commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050” and the development of a “policy framework for environmental protection and circular economy development,” including “green finance mechanisms” and a “roadmap for establishing a carbon market.”

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

1. Target 9.4: By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes.
   • This is reflected in the article’s call for businesses to “embrace robust transformation” and adopt “green production practices.” It notes that leading models have achieved “improved operational efficiency and cost savings through technological innovation and energy reuse.”

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

1. Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.
   • The article provides a clear example with the Viet Nam Packaging Recycling Organisation (PRO Viet Nam), described as a “pioneering non-profit initiative” that has “grown to include 30 major companies and corporations nationwide” to collectively meet EPR obligations. The talk show itself, “co-organised by Tuoi Tre (Youth) Newspaper, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, and the Viet Nam Packaging Recycling Organisation,” is another example of a multi-stakeholder partnership.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

• Indicator for Target 12.5: National recycling rate. The article implies this indicator through its focus on the mission of PRO Viet Nam to “enhance sustainable packaging recycling” and the importance of consumer “source-separation behaviour” to turn packaging into a “recyclable resource.” Progress could be measured by the volume or percentage of packaging recycled.
• Indicator for Target 12.8: Consumer adoption of green products. The article implies this by noting the “gap between awareness and action” and the barriers hindering “widespread adoption” of green products. Measuring the market share of sustainable products would be a relevant indicator.

SDG 13: Climate Action

• Indicator for Target 13.2: Progress towards national emissions reduction targets. The article explicitly mentions “Viet Nam’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050” as a key policy driver. Tracking national greenhouse gas emissions would be the primary indicator. The establishment of a “carbon market” is another measurable policy milestone mentioned.

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

• Indicator for Target 9.4: Rate of adoption of green technologies by enterprises. The article discusses the pressure on businesses to adopt “green production practices” and the “dual benefits” of “technological innovation and energy reuse.” An indicator could be the level of investment in or adoption of such technologies by Vietnamese enterprises, particularly in export-oriented sectors affected by regulations like the CBAM.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

• Indicator for Target 17.17: Number of members in multi-stakeholder partnerships. The article provides a direct, quantifiable indicator by stating that “PRO Viet Nam has grown to include 30 major companies and corporations nationwide” since its founding. The growth in membership serves as a measure of the partnership’s success and reach.

4. Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators” to present the findings from analyzing the article. In this table, list the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), their corresponding targets, and the specific indicators identified in the article.

Source: en.nhandan.vn