When applying processing technology, shrimp heads and shells are used as the main ingredients to extract antibiotics for export at high prices; rice husks and straw can become biomass energy.
Real-life examples were cited by experts and scientists at the "Sustainable Development Solutions" seminar within the framework of the Conference of Young Scientists, organized by VnExpress newspaper on the morning of May 17, to demonstrate that applying science and technology into practice helps businesses achieve dual goals of increasing profits and protecting the environment.
Experts and scientists share at the seminar. Photo: Giang Huy
Dr. Ngo Thi Thuy Huong, Head of the Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology Research Group (Phenikaa University) said that in the past, there were many opposing views that development was not sustainable and vice versa. Until the United Nations and developed countries introduced a more comprehensive concept with 17 sustainable development goals accepted by all parties. She said that businesses that commit to these 17 goals will bring many benefits such as their products being labeled as sustainable, being accepted by the people and having greater market development opportunities.
Dr. Ngo Thi Thuy Huong talks about the role of scientists in sustainable development at a seminar on the morning of May 17. Photo: Giang Huy
According to Dr. Huong, sustainable development orientation in enterprises is concretized by using raw materials and fuels efficiently to reduce production costs and demonstrate their commitment to society. To do this, she believes that enterprises need the support of scientists in product development to achieve sustainable and cost-saving goals. Scientists need to create solutions that originate from social reality and business needs.
Phenikaa University lecturer said that scientists should not wait for businesses to solve problems for them but should advise them on sustainable development directions to create high profits in production activities, only then will they be successful. "No matter what we do, people have to live with the same air, if we earn a lot of money but have to breathe polluted air, everyone will be affected. So scientists should follow the path of sustainable development to serve their own lives, society and future generations", Dr. Huong said.
Sharing the same view, Mr. Vu Chi Cong, representative of VinaCapital Fund, said that 15 years ago, many people still considered doing business and doing environmental work to be quite opposite. However, nowadays, sustainable development is an inevitable issue, it is present in all business activities and daily life. The question is how scientists can see opportunities for sustainable improvement. Specifically, he said that scientists working in businesses can evaluate their production processes to see how they can improve to save energy, thereby reducing costs. By-products and waste in the production process can be researched for recycling and recirculation, or turned into valuable products that can be sold.
Mr. Vu Chi Cong, representative of VinaCapital, shared about sustainable development at the seminar. Photo: Giang Huy
Mr. Cong cited an example from the Mekong Delta region where shrimp head by-products in previous production would be discarded. However, shrimp shells are now the main ingredient for extracting antibiotics for export at high prices, bringing profits to shrimp industry enterprises. Discarded rice husks and straw can become biomass energy at quite high prices. From these two stories, Mr. Cong believes that in production, enterprises always have the opportunity to improve and transform towards sustainability in all activities. "If scientists always research and innovate to create new products, sustainable development will always go hand in hand with business development," he said.
From the perspective of the management agency, Mr. Luong Quang Huy, representative of the Department of Climate Change (Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment) said that the world has formed a carbon credit market with the ultimate goal of reducing global greenhouse gas emissions. This policy has been put into law by many countries, including Vietnam, contributing to sustainable development. He said that carbon credits also create new products and new currencies that many domestic enterprises are interested in. Many large enterprises in Vietnam mentioned the need for methods of confirmation, creating pricing regulations... for carbon credits because this is a factor that helps them increase competitiveness, as well as create profits.
Mr. Luong Quang Huy answered questions at the seminar. Photo: Giang Huy
For example, he said that Tesla Group in the US earned 1.4 billion USD from selling carbon credits in 2019, higher than the profit from selling cars. In Vietnam, Vinfast has approached this issue, showing great business interest in carbon credits. "This creates a green job market, low-emission green technology... through carbon credits. This is not only good for businesses but also helps the community develop sustainably," said Mr. Huy. Currently, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment is coordinating with the Ministry of Finance to develop detailed regulations on carbon credits, moving towards establishing a pilot carbon credit trading floor in 2025, and officially operating in the 2027-2028 period.
Mr. Bui Xuan Huong shared at the seminar. Photo: Giang Huy
On the business side, Mr. Bui Xuan Huong, Deputy Director of HDBank's corporate customer division, said that the company is very interested in sustainable development through technology investment and the establishment of a specialized appraisal department for environmental risks for society. The company is willing to say no to projects that cause environmental pollution and affect people's lives. Regarding social activities, Mr. Huong said that in the past 3-5 years, it has sponsored projects such as renewable energy such as solar power, wind power, etc. "We continue to innovate in technology activities, governance models, and customer-oriented communications on the path of sustainable development, bringing benefits to employees, partners and society in sustainable development and environmental protection," Mr. Huong said and wished to cooperate with scientists in this field.
Ha An
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