In recent times, Vietnam has participated extensively and made strong commitments to the international community on environmental protection and sustainable development action programs. To implement these commitments, it is necessary to have the joint actions of each individual, organization, business and the entire political system.
Along with creating mechanisms and policies to support businesses in converting to green production, Vietnam also needs to focus on raising awareness and promoting consumer participation in practicing sustainable consumption, thereby accompanying businesses in achieving sustainable results.
The Law on Consumer Protection 2023, which officially took effect on July 1, 2024, promulgated the concept of sustainable consumption as well as clearly defined the responsibilities and obligations of consumers, businesses, and management agencies in participating in promoting sustainable production and consumption in particular and developing consumer rights protection activities in Vietnam in general.
Green consumption is increasingly popular
Chairman of the National Competition Commission Le Trieu Dung commented: Sustainable production and consumption have become an important link to ensure the effectiveness of the sustainability process. This is not only a responsibility prescribed by law, but also a trend, an objective requirement from practice, and at the same time an opportunity for the business community and consumers to directly contribute to the country's sustainable development process. In particular, consumers have increasingly demonstrated their position, importance and decisiveness to the success of this process.
In fact, green consumption and sustainable consumption are no longer strange concepts, but are gradually becoming more popular in daily life. A survey by the IBM Institute for Business Value (IBV) of 14,000 people from nine countries showed that 90% of those surveyed said that the Covid-19 pandemic has changed their perspective on issues related to the environment and sustainable consumption. Consumers are gradually turning away from and limiting the use of products from businesses that cause pollution, waste resources or have negative impacts on the environment and the community.
According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, green consumption demand in Vietnam has grown by an average of 15% per year in the period 2021-2023. More than 72% of Vietnamese consumers are willing to pay more for green products, showing that consumer awareness and concern for health and environmental protection are increasing.
Responding to this trend, many spaces for green products have also begun to appear in retail systems. Director of Aeon Ha Dong Supermarket (Hanoi) Nguyen Thi Hai Thanh shared: Aeon Ha Dong has priority checkout counters for customers who do not use plastic bags, and also provides a "rent a bag" service to lend environmental bags directly at the cashier counter at a cost of VND 5,000/bag and will refund the rental fee when returning the bag at the service counter. We also implement a plastic bag-free day program on the first Monday of every month from 2023 as well as stop distributing single-use plastic products and switch from plastic shopping cards to using mobile applications. WinCommerce system has also been joining hands to protect the environment by implementing a series of "green" solutions at the WinMart/WinMart+ supermarket and mini-supermarket system.
Specifically, WinCommerce uses all biodegradable plastic bags; simultaneously reducing or replacing single-use plastic materials with environmentally friendly items.
More support from the State is needed.
It can be seen that green consumption is becoming a mainstream trend, strongly influencing businesses to change their thinking and working methods so that their products and services can meet the needs of today's new consumers. In fact, many manufacturing establishments and enterprises have recognized the problem early and proactively implemented timely solutions. For example, in the past three years, Garment 10 Corporation has implemented many green production activities such as investing in modern machinery and equipment, using less electricity; investing in solar energy systems, rooftop solar panels; linking production chains in Vietnam and abroad to make the most use of recycled products, from nature, etc.
General Director of May 10 Corporation Than Duc Viet shared: Greening production is no longer a matter of whether or not to want, but has now become a mandatory requirement for businesses to move towards sustainable exports. Even in the production process, coal-fired input fuels are being converted to biomass-fired fuels to ensure the lowest carbon emissions. It is expected that in 2024, if the entire May 10 project comes into operation, it will help reduce more than 20 thousand tons of carbon emissions into the environment.
Vice Chairman of the National Assembly's Committee on Science, Technology and Environment Ta Dinh Thi said: Sustainable production and consumption are trends that play a particularly important role in the sustainable development process not only in Vietnam but also in the region and around the world. Realizing that, the National Assembly and the Government of Vietnam have proactively and consistently implemented the viewpoint of promoting sustainable production and consumption, especially in policy making and law promulgation. Thanks to that, the policy system on sustainable production and consumption is being increasingly improved.
However, Mr. Thi also admitted that there are still many difficulties and obstacles ahead, hindering the early implementation of policies and laws. Most businesses are aware of the role of sustainable production in improving their competitiveness and sustainable development, but there are still many difficulties and confusion in finding, mobilizing and using capital for green production investment, scientific research, and technology application to create high-value, environmentally friendly products. Circulation and distribution businesses have also gradually greened the distribution process, reduced intermediate packaging and waste, and used and distributed environmentally friendly products and packaging. However, these activities are not sustainable, the use of plastic bags and packaging that is difficult to decompose is still common, etc. On the consumer side, they are increasingly knowledgeable and conscious of prioritizing green consumption, however, the price of green products is still high compared to the general income of the people. Meanwhile, fraudulent advertising and taking advantage of green product information to sell at high prices are increasingly common, causing fear and confusion for consumers.
To keep up with the trend of sustainable production and consumption, Vice President and General Secretary of the Hanoi Association of Small and Medium Enterprises Mac Quoc Anh said that businesses must transform more strongly. At the same time, we need more support from state management agencies, including preferential mechanisms and policies to encourage scientific research and the development of modern technologies to apply to green production. Green and clean production requires long-term, stable capital, so mechanisms are needed to help businesses easily access preferential capital. The State needs to have solutions to encourage and prioritize greener, cleaner production businesses; perfect the framework of mechanisms and policies to support businesses in transitioning to green production and sustainable consumption.
Vice President and General Secretary of the Vietnam Consumer Protection Association Bui Thanh Thuy said that many consumers are still not interested in green products because the main reason is price. Meanwhile, there are not many investment policies for consumers. Because this is a matter that directly affects people's daily lives, we should consider how to reduce prices and consumption taxes for green products, making it easier for people to access.
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